In the U.S., more than 200,000 people are diagnosed with aggressive brain tumors each year, which are difficult to treat and often resistant to traditional therapies like chemotherapy and radiation. These tumors also have a high rate of recurrence, making them a challenging battle for patients. However, a new treatment option using small seeds is providing hope to patients facing these tough diagnoses.
Initially diagnosed with lung cancer, Anthony Parise’s condition worsened when the cancer spread to his brain. Dr. Matthew Shepard, a neurosurgeon at Allegheny Health Network, explains that the most common type of cancerous brain tumors actually originate from other areas of the body, such as the lungs, colon, or melanoma. For patients like Parise, who have limited treatment options due to the location of the tumor in the brain, the Gamma Tile offers a new solution.
Unlike traditional radiation treatments that require multiple hospital visits and surgical removal once they dissolve, the Gamma Tile slowly releases low-dose radiation over time. This innovative treatment has shown promising results in treating bladder and prostate cancers and is now being used for patients with brain tumors like Parise who have exhausted other treatment options. The Gamma Tile is still a relatively new treatment option for brain tumors but offers hope to those facing this tough diagnosis.
