Multimodal malignant brain tumor treatment: Awake craniotomy, intraoperative MRI, clinical trial
Yoshitaka Narita / Masamichi Takahashi
2023/11/1
Surgical removal plays a pivotal role in the treatment of malignant brain tumors such as gliomas and metastatic brain tumors. The brain has very diverse and important functions including moving limbs and speaking. Therefore, in order to maximize the effectiveness of treatment without compromising the patient’s quality of life (QOL) after surgery, it is necessary to remove as much tumor as possible and preserve brain functions at the same time. The surgery that our department is particularly active in accepting and performing on a large number of patients is awake craniotomy. This method allows the patient to be awake during the removal of the tumor to check brain function, thereby maximizing tumor removal without worsening neurological symptoms. The language used by patients can be English as well as Japanese, and other languages may be acceptable. A useful device for this procedure is intraoperative MRI. We use intraoperative MRI to immediately evaluate the extent of tumor removal for almost all craniotomies. This allows for additional resection and increases the safe removal rate. In addition, we conduct various clinical trials for postoperative treatment based on scientific evidence as well as standard therapy, and are striving to expand the options for patients as the best specialized facility in Japan for malignant brain tumors.
