Brain Tumors
Neurosurgery located in Birmingham, AL
Learning you or a loved one has a brain tumor is an incredibly stressful experience, but when you partner with a team of highly skilled surgical specialists, the experience can be easier to manage. For many residents in and around Birmingham, Alabama, the team at Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine fills that role. Booking a visit at the practice is as simple as a phone call or a few moments online.
Also called intracranial tumors, brain tumors develop when brain cells multiply at an abnormal, uncontrolled rate. Your body is constantly creating new cells and tissue, but there are mechanisms in place to check that cell development. In the case of brain tumors, the normal limiting factors on cell multiplication are not present or not functioning properly.
There are more than 100 different forms of brain tumors. Primary brain tumors originate within the brain, while metastatic tumors develop in other areas of the body and then travel to the brain, usually through the bloodstream.
Some examples of brain tumor types include:
No matter what kind of brain tumor you’re dealing with, the team at Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine can help.
Numerous different elements can cause or contribute to brain tumor development. Chromosomal damage or functional issues are a primary cause. Congenital defects are a common cause, but environmental factors can also lead to brain tumors.
Researchers are still uncertain of the exact cause of many brain tumors. Even when you choose to work with a team of excellent specialists like the physicians at Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine, it isn’t always possible to understand the exact cause of your brain tumor.
There are many different ways to treat brain tumors. Your treatment path depends on a number of factors, including the type of brain tumor you have, its location, your overall health, and the risk of harm associated with leaving the tumor in place.
Radiation therapy is a common approach. This treatment uses high-energy X-ray technology to kill off cancer cells and abnormal brain cells. There are many types of radiation therapy to choose from. The team uses stereotactic radiosurgery, a noninvasive approach that uses 3D computerized imaging to deliver precisely controlled radiation to the abnormal cells.
Chemotherapy is another widely used treatment for brain tumors. This option uses carefully controlled medications to kill off targeted cells. While chemotherapy does damage and kill some of your healthy cells, cancerous cells are especially susceptible to this approach.
In some cases, surgery is the best available treatment option. At Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine, you have access to the latest tools and techniques to enhance your surgery.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a brain tumor or have related symptoms and are looking for a specialist, call Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine today, or use the convenient online booking tool.