Department of Neurosurgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
The Aga Khan Medical College and University, Karachi, Pakistan.
J Pak Med Assoc. 2024 Mar;74(3 (Supple-3)):S201-S211. doi: 10.47391/JPMA.S3.GNO-24.
Surgical removal remains the primary treatment for most brain tumours. However, radiosurgery presents an effective, less invasive alternative or additional treatment for certain types. Our goal was to explore radiosurgery's roles in treating various brain tumours, focussing on its application in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We reviewed all relevant systematic reviews, metaanalyses, and guidelines to determine the most effective radiosurgical approaches. Additionally, we consulted a panel of experts with over ten years of experience in LMICs, such as Pakistan. For brain tumours, stereotactic radiosurgery should generally follow a confirmed histopathological diagnosis. Exceptions include tumours identified through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), like Vestibular Schwannoma (VS), pre-diagnosed Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), multiple typical meningiomas, and metastases with a known histology from another site. While radiosurgery is gaining traction as a primary and adjunct treatment in some LMICs, the lack of regional guidelines, trained personnel, and collaboration among specialists hinders its wider adoption. Addressing these gaps is crucial for expanding radiosurgical care in these regions.
手术切除仍然是大多数脑肿瘤的主要治疗方法。然而,对于某些类型的肿瘤,放射外科手术提供了一种有效且侵袭性较小的替代或附加治疗方法。我们的目标是探讨放射外科在治疗各种脑肿瘤中的作用,重点关注其在中低收入国家(LMICs)的应用。我们回顾了所有相关的系统评价、荟萃分析和指南,以确定最有效的放射外科方法。此外,我们还咨询了一个在 LMICs 拥有超过十年经验的专家小组,例如巴基斯坦。对于脑肿瘤,立体定向放射外科通常应遵循明确的组织病理学诊断。例外情况包括通过磁共振成像(MRI)识别的肿瘤,如前庭神经鞘瘤(VS)、预先诊断的神经纤维瘤病 2 型(NF2)、多个典型脑膜瘤和来自其他部位的已知组织学转移瘤。虽然放射外科手术在一些 LMICs 作为主要治疗方法和辅助治疗方法得到了越来越多的应用,但缺乏区域指南、训练有素的人员以及专家之间的合作,阻碍了其更广泛的应用。解决这些差距对于扩大这些地区的放射外科治疗至关重要。