Brain Tumors

Brain tumors can be benign or malignant, and both require complex treatments. If you’re diagnosed with a brain tumor, you want the very best treatment to prevent complications. Accomplished neurosurgeon David A. Wiles, MD, provides comprehensive care for brain tumors at his office in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Call the office or book an appointment online today to find out more about his treatment options.

What is a brain tumor?

A brain tumor isn’t always a form of cancer. It’s simply a growth of abnormal cells in your brain. Some cancerous brain tumors begin in your brain, while others result from the spread of cancer from another part of your body. 

The tumor’s location and growth rate determine how it will affect your health and nervous system. 

What are the symptoms of a brain tumor?

The symptoms you experience because of a brain tumor vary depending on its location, size, and growth rate. 

You may experience symptoms such as:

• Headaches that are new, more frequent, or more severe 
• Unexplained nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems
• Speech difficulties
• Vision loss
• Blurred or double vision
• Extreme fatigue
• Confusion 
• Personality changes
• Seizures
• Hearing problems

Dr. Wiles rules out other possible causes of these conditions before performing diagnostic testing for a brain tumor. 

How do you treat a brain tumor?

Dr. Wiles customizes your treatment plan according to your tumor type, location, and size. He’ll also consider your general health and well-being and the growth rate of the tumor.

He may recommend surgery when a brain tumor is located in an accessible area. Surgery is often successful for brain tumors that are small and easy to separate from surrounding brain tissue.

Surgery is far more risky when a brain tumor can’t be easily separated from surrounding tissue or is located near important areas of your brain. Dr. Wiles may remove as much of the tumor as possible, which can go a long way in reducing the frequency and severity of symptoms. He may also recommend complementary treatments like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy to destroy abnormal cells and shrink the tumor. 

What is it like to recover from brain tumor treatments?

Brain tumors can cause long-term effects on your motor skills, vision, thinking, and speech. Physical and occupational therapy help you regain lost skills and learn how to get back to normal activities. 

Learn more about brain tumor diagnosis and treatment by setting up a consultation with David A. Wiles, MD. Call the office or book an appointment online today.