Kalil and guests discuss advances in the treatment of brain tumors

Brain tumors represent only 1 to 2% of all neoplasms in Brazil, but despite their low incidence, the diagnosis has a major impact on the patient and their family. However, medicine has already made progress in the treatment options for this type of cancer — and this is the topic discussed in the latest episode of “ CNN Vital Signs – Dr. Kalil Interview ”, a special on the brain.

Aired this Saturday (10), the program features special guests from Dr. Roberto Kalil : Ludmila Koch, oncologist at Hospital Albert Einstein, and neurosurgeon Marcos Stavale. In the episode about the brain, the specialists discussed the difficulties of these types of tumors and the advances in medicine for treatment.

“When we talk about brain tumors, we are talking about a variety of neoplasms. These tumors are relatively uncommon, accounting for 1 to 2% of all neoplasms. Thinking about Brazil, the estimate is that there would be between three and five cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Thinking about our population, that would be between 6,600 and 11,000 new cases per year,” says Koch.

According to Stavale, the main challenge with brain tumors , as with all cancer cases, is early diagnosis, which requires attention to symptoms.

“The overall symptoms are generally due to increased pressure inside the skull. The most common is a headache. Then, it progresses, the headache gets worse, the person may vomit, and if it is not detected or treated, the person begins to feel drowsy and may go into a coma,” he explains.

“And there is another group of symptoms which are localized symptoms. In other words, a tumor in the motor area causes motor symptoms, a tumor in the speech area causes language symptoms… all of this is clearly visible in the neurological examination,” he adds.

Stavale also explains that, in people over 55 years old, symptoms may take longer to appear. “In older people, the brain shrinks a little and we have more water in the head. So, the tumor grows more and does not increase the pressure in the skull, it takes longer to manifest itself”, he adds.

Among the treatment options for brain tumors, surgery is the most common approach, with the aim of reducing the size of the tumor. In recent years, surgical techniques have evolved significantly, according to experts.

“We operate using a computer graphics system called neuronavigation. A little robot points the way. Then, you open the skull less and less, and use an ultrasonic aspirator, which you place on the tumor and it sucks it out. Many of my patients undergo surgery and don’t even go to the ICU and go home in two or three days,” says Stavale.

“The most important thing is a multidisciplinary team that is fully engaged in the patient’s treatment. Because we need the support of the neurosurgeon, the neurologist, in the management of seizures, the radiotherapist and, of course, the health teams for the patient’s rehabilitation,” adds Koch.

But, after all, is it possible to talk about a cure? “Some [patients] are cured, some are not, but most can be controlled. Sometimes, it’s a problem you have to live with, not solve,” says Stavale. But both are adamant that each case is different. “We talk about personalized medicine, but I think the most important thing is personalizing the patient,” concludes Koch.

“CNN Vital Signs – Dr. Kalil Interview” will air on Saturday, May 10, at 7:30 pm, on CNN Brasil.