The most common intracranial lesions are metastases and malignant (e.g. astrocytomas) or benign (e.g. meningiomas, acoustic neuromas) primary tumours. Primary benign brain tumours and malignancies are much less common than brain metastases. Stereotactic radiosurgery such as Cyberknife® has become an accepted treatment option for patients with meningiomas, vestibular schwannomas and pituitary adenomas.
Each year, thousands of patients worldwide undergo radiosurgery for these benign tumour types. In many ways, patients with benign tumours are ideal candidates for radiosurgery. Primarily, unlike malignant gliomas, these tumours rarely invade the adjacent tissue and therefore highly focused and precise treatments such as stereotactic radiosurgery can be used to completely treat the entire tumour. Secondly, benign tumours are typically well visualised by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This permits a clear delineation between the tumour and nearby structures so unnecessary radiation exposure to healthy tissue can be minimised. Lastly, radiosurgery of benign tumours makes good use of the radiobiologic principles.
For benign tumours, both the target and the adjacent nervous system act as late responding tissues due to their slow rate of proliferation. Consequently, dose fractionation adds little theoretical benefit compared to conformal, single fraction radiation delivery. SRS is especially attractive to patients with malignant brain tumours because of its minimally invasive nature and the fact that no recovery period is required after the procedure is completed.
A rare, non-cancerous tumour arising from the cells surrounding the auditory nerve.
Full medical glossary
A benign tumour that forms from glandular cells.
Full medical glossary
Not dangerous, usually applied to a tumour that is not malignant.
Full medical glossary
An abnormal swelling that is not cancerous; in other words, it does not invade local tissues or spread to distant parts of the body.
Full medical glossary
A type of yeast or fungus. The term is sometimes also used to describe the infection resulting from it (candidiasis). The most common is Candida albicans, which causes thrush infections, most often of the vagina or mouth
Full medical glossary
Within the skull.
Full medical glossary
a general term to cover any abnormality such as a wound, infection, abscess or tumour.
Full medical glossary
A large abdominal organ that has many important roles including the production of bile and clotting factors, detoxification, and the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
Full medical glossary
A technique for imaging the body that uses electromagnetic waves and a strong magnetic field.
Full medical glossary
Describes a tumour resulting from uncontrolled cell division that can invade other tissues and may spread to distant parts of the body.
Full medical glossary
Secondary tumours’ that result from the spread of a malignant tumour to other parts of the body.
Full medical glossary
An abbreviation for magnetic resonance imaging, a technique for imaging the body that uses electromagnetic waves and a strong magnetic field.
Full medical glossary
The system that gathers and stores information and is in overall control of the body. The brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system.
Full medical glossary
Non-cancerous tumour of nerve tissues.
Full medical glossary
A craving to eat non-food substances such as earth or coal.
Full medical glossary
A gland deep in the brain that produces several hormones controlling the production of other hormones throughout the body
Full medical glossary
Energy in the form of waves or particles, including radio waves, X-rays and gamma rays.
Full medical glossary
A group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function.
Full medical glossary
An abnormal swelling.
Full medical glossary
Relating to the sense of sight (vision).
Full medical glossary
