Over 200,000 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with aggressive brain tumors annually. These tumors are difficult to treat with current methods and often do not respond well to chemotherapy and radiation. They also have a high rate of recurrence, making them a challenging condition to manage. However, new hope is emerging for patients with the use of small seeds that are helping to combat these resistant tumors.
One patient who benefited from this innovative treatment is Anthony Parise, who battled brain tumors that initially stemmed from lung cancer. Following two brain surgeries and rounds of radiation, his tumors persisted. Dr. Matthew Shepard, a neurosurgeon at Allegheny Health Network, explains that the most common cancerous brain tumors actually originate from other parts of the body, such as the lungs or colon. This is the case for patients like Parise, where the brain is the only site of cancer in the body.
For patients like Parise who have limited treatment options, the Gamma Tile offers a new ray of hope. These tiny tiles contain radiation seeds that emit low-dose radiation over a period of several weeks to months. Unlike traditional radiation treatments that require multiple hospital visits, the Gamma Tile only needs to be implanted once and then left in place to dissolve over time. This method is a game-changer for patients like Parise, who can now live tumor-free and enjoy the gift of waking up to each new day.
The Gamma Tile has been successfully used in bladder and prostate cancers and is now making waves in the treatment of brain tumors. With minimal side effects and a high success rate, this innovative approach is changing the landscape of brain tumor treatment. Currently, the Gamma Tile is reserved for patients whose tumors recur when other treatment options are limited
