The way they remove a tumor from the brain through the nose is through endoscopic endonasal surgery which is where the surgeon uses a thin lighted tube with a camera called an endoscope and inserts it through your nostril which allows access to the base of your brain to remove the tumor.
The endoscopic surgery procedure avoids any need for large incisions on your skull and allows for faster recovery when compared to traditional brain surgery.
The brain tumors that can be removed through the nose are certain types of olfactory neuroblastomas, chordomas, craniopharyngiomas, meningiomas and pituitary adenomas.
Tumors which are accessible through the sphenoid sinus nasal cavity are the brain tumors that can be removed through the nose.
Rathke's cleft cysts which are benign cystic lesions that affect mainly your pituitary gland can also be removed through the nose.
The brain surgery that is done through the nose is called an Endoscopic Endonasal Approach which is an innovative surgical technique that is used to remove brain tumors and lesions and even some as large as softballs through the nose.
The most difficult brain tumor to remove is glioblastoma brain tumors.
Glioblastoma brain tumors often grow into the healthy brain tissue, so it may not be possible to remove all of the cancer cells and most people have other treatments after the surgery to get to the cancer cells that are left from glioblastoma.
The life expectancy of a person with glioblastoma brain tumor is 12 months to 18 months and only 25 percent of people with glioblastoma survive more than 1 year and only 5 percent of people with glioblastoma survive more than 5 years.
The triggers of glioblastoma are genetic tumor causing conditions like neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Turcot syndrome, previous radiation therapy of the head and exposure to chemicals like synthetic rubber, vinyl chloride, petroleum and pesticides.
Glioblastoma is a type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord.
It grows quickly and can invade and destroy healthy tissue.
Glioblastoma forms from cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells.
The average glioblastoma survival time is 12-18 months – only 25% of people with glioblastoma survive more than one year, and only 5% of people survive more than five years.
Glioblastoma can develop in persons of any age, including children.
But it tends to occur more often in adults between the ages of 65 and 74, and men have a slightly higher risk than women.
Most people diagnosed with glioblastoma have no family history of cancerous brain tumors.
There is currently no cure for glioblastoma.
The median length of survival after a diagnosis is 15-18 months, while the disease's five-year survival rate is around 10%.
Though all glioblastomas recur, initial treatments may keep the tumor controlled for months or even years.
The warning signs of glioblastoma include.
Headache.
Seizures.
Nausea and vomiting.
Drowsiness.
Changes in personality.
Weakness on one side of the body.
Memory loss.
Speech difficulty.
People with glioblastoma are often struggling with a great deal of physical and emotional burdens.
It is important to listen to them, even if they are unable to communicate verbally.
In the final stages of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), end-of-life signs may become more apparent.
These can include decreased appetite, social withdrawal, changes in behavior, and increased fatigue.