neurosurgeon in florida
BRAIN TUMORS
Neurosurgeon & Brain Tumor Specialist located in South Miami, FL & Hialeah, FL, & Weston, FL
Any type of cancer can lead to brain metastasis, which is when cancer from other parts of the body spreads to your brain. Surgery to remove the brain tumor may be part of your treatment for metastatic brain cancer. At his practice in South Miami, Hialeah, and Weston, Florida, Jose Valerio, MD, performs many surgical treatments for brain metastasis. The fellowship-trained neurosurgical oncologist combines his mindful attention to patient care and needs with the latest technology and skills so his patients get positive outcomes. Call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online today.
Brain Metastasis Q & A
What is brain metastasis?
Brain metastasis is a type of malignant (cancerous) brain tumor. It refers to brain tumors that develop from cancer that starts in other parts of your body.
Any type of cancer can cause brain metastasis. However, lung, breast, colon, kidney, and melanoma are the most common types of cancer that cause these malignant brain tumors.
The brain tumors develop when cancer cells from the original cancer break away and travel to the brain in your bloodstream or through your lymph system. Once in the brain, the cancer cells multiply, creating one or multiple tumors.
Doctors categorize these types of brain tumors back to their original cancer. For example, metastatic lung cancer.What are the symptoms of brain metastasis?
Metastatic cancer tumors in the brain affect the normal structure and function of your brain and may cause a range of symptoms. Common symptoms of brain metastasis include:
● Headaches● Seizures● Personality changes● Problems with memory● Weakness in specific areas of the body
When experiencing these symptoms, your oncologist may run a number of tests to diagnose metastatic cancer, including a biopsy of the abnormal growth in your brain.What are the treatments for brain metastasis?
Treatment for brain metastasis may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of these treatments. The goal of treatment is to ease symptoms from your brain metastasis.
Dr. Valerio is a fellowship-trained neurosurgical oncologist who performs advanced surgical procedures to treat brain metastasis, including:
Craniotomy
During a craniotomy, Dr. Valerio removes a section of your skull to gain access to the area of your brain where you have metastatic tumors.
Gamma knife
When performing a gamma knife procedure, also known as stereotactic radiosurgery, Dr. Valerio uses radiation to treat your metastatic tumor. There are no surgical incisions for this type of brain surgery.
Parafascicular surgery
Parafascicular surgery is a type of minimally invasive brain surgery that allows Dr. Valerio to remove cancerous lesions found deep in your brain.
For this surgery, Dr. Valerio uses advanced imaging and brain tissue retraction tools to gain access to the brain metastasis without damaging the healthy tissue.