诊断
Your doctor or other healthcare professional will ask you about your medical history and any symptoms you have. You also will have a physical exam to check your vision, hearing, balance, coordination, sensation, strength and reflexes. This can help your healthcare professional figure out which part of your brain might be affected by the tumor.
Other tests to diagnose skull base tumors may include:
- Imaging tests, such as a CT scan, MRI or PET scan. These tests take pictures of your brain and surrounding structures to show the size and location of the tumor. They also can show if there is any pressure or blockage of the cerebrospinal fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
- Biopsy. In this procedure, a healthcare professional takes a small sample of the tumor and sends it to a lab to be tested. A biopsy is done by removing a small part of your skull and using a needle to take a sample of the tumor.
- Blood tests. Your healthcare professional may draw a sample of blood and test your hormone levels and other relevant labs, which may indicate the presence of certain types of tumors.
- Tests of hearing and vision. Because skull base tumors can affect hearing and vision, these tests are needed to look for problems with function and to examine the nerves to see if the tumor is compressing the nerves.
Prognosis and life expectancy with skull base tumors is dependent on many factors, such as the type of tumor, tumor grade, location of the tumor, your age and your overall health.
治疗
There are several options to treat a skull base tumor. Your healthcare team considers many factors when creating a treatment plan. These factors might include the tumor's location, how fast it's growing, whether it has spread to other parts of the brain. Other factors include the results of tests on the tumor cells, and whether the tumor is causing symptoms. Your care team also considers your age and your overall health.
The goal of treating skull base tumors is to remove the tumor or stop the growth of the tumor without causing damage to the nearby tissues.
Treatment options include:
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Surgery. Usually, surgery is the first treatment for skull base tumors. This is done to remove the skull base tumor, either partially or completely. Surgery to remove the tumor may not be the best option for skull base tumors that have more risk of complications with removal. Surgical techniques may include cutting a small section of the skull so that surgeons can access the brain to remove the tumor.
There are less invasive surgeries, such as endoscopic surgery. This technique allows surgeons to use a thin tube with a camera through the nostrils. The surgeon uses tiny surgical tools, placed into the nostril with the tube, to remove the tumor.
Surgeons may use advanced technologies, such as intraoperative MRI, to guide them during surgery.
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Radiation therapy. This type of therapy uses very focused, powerful beams of energy, usually X-rays, to destroy tumors. For skull base tumors, radiation therapy may be used after surgery to destroy any tumor cells not removed by surgery.
There are several types of radiation therapy available, including stereotactic radiosurgery. This type of therapy targets skull base tumors with very high doses of energy beams directed at the tumor, sparing nearby cells and tissues from damage. Stereotactic radiosurgery is usually used on small tumors.
Another type of radiation therapy is fractionated radiation therapy. Instead of one intense session, smaller doses of energy beams are delivered in several sessions over the course of a few weeks. Fractionated radiation therapy is usually used on larger or more complicated tumors.
Proton therapy also may be used to treat skull base tumors. This type of radiation uses particles called protons instead of X-ray (photon) beams. Proton therapy targets the tumor more precisely. It may be used to treat tumors located near the optic nerves, brainstem or other risky areas.
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Chemotherapy. This treatment involves very strong medicines designed to kill or stop the growth of tumor cells. There are many different types of chemotherapy medicines. These may be given through a vein or by a pill that you swallow. Chemotherapy may be used after surgery or in addition to other treatments.
Chemotherapy is less commonly used for skull base tumors unless they are cancerous and growing very quickly. It may be used in combination with other therapies for cancers such as sinonasal cancers.
- Watchful waiting. Some people may not need treatment for certain skull base tumors. These tumors may include small, noncancerous tumors that don't cause any symptoms. Instead, your healthcare professional may suggest monitoring the tumor with regular imaging tests to check for changes.
Potential future treatments
Ongoing research in cancer treatment and neurosurgery may lead to potential future treatments for skull base tumors. While current treatment methods such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy remain the standard methods, advances in technology, drug development and precision medicine offer new possibilities for more effective and less invasive treatments.
Gene therapies and immunotherapy show potential, as well as medicines that target and destroy specific cells in the skull base tumor. Researchers also are exploring new ways to use existing techniques, including proton beam therapy and endoscopic surgery.
临床试验
探索 Mayo Clinic 的研究 测试新的治疗、干预与检查方法，旨在预防、检测、治疗或控制这种疾病。
替代医学
There are no alternative medicines that can cure skull base tumors. But some complementary and alternative treatments may help with common tumor symptoms. These may include pain, fatigue and stress.
Some alternative and complementary therapies that you may find helpful include:
- Meditation, guided imagery and other mindfulness practices.
- Yoga.
- Relaxation exercises.
- Acupuncture.
- Massage therapy.
- Physical activity.
If you're interested in alternative medicines and complementary therapies for skull base tumors, talk about it with your healthcare team. Ask about the benefits and potential risks. And discuss with your care team what options might be helpful and safe for you.
妥善处理与支持
Learning that you have a skull base tumor can be overwhelming. But you can take steps to cope after your diagnosis. Take steps to:
Find out all you can about your type of skull base tumor
Write down your questions and bring them to your appointments. As your healthcare professional answers your questions, take notes. Or ask a friend or family member to come along to take notes.
The more you and your family know and understand about your care, the more confident you'll feel when it's time to make treatment decisions.
Get support
Find someone you can share your feelings and concerns with. You may have a close friend or family member who is a good listener. Or speak with a clergy member or counselor.
You may find it helpful to talk to other people who have had skull base tumors. Ask your healthcare team about support groups for people with skull base tumors. These support groups may be available online and in your area.
Take care of yourself
Choose a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains whenever possible. Check with your healthcare professional to see if it's safe for you to exercise. Get enough sleep so that you feel rested.
Reduce stress in your life by taking time for relaxing activities, such as listening to music or writing in a journal.
准备您的预约
If you have symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional. If you have a skull base tumor, you'll likely be referred to a specialist.
Specialists who care for people with skull base tumors include:
- Doctors who diagnose and treat brain and spinal cord conditions, called neurologists.
- Surgeons who operate on the brain and spinal cord, called neurosurgeons.
- Doctors who diagnose and treat tumors that affect the bones, called orthopedic oncologists.
- Surgeons who operate on bones and joints, called orthopedic surgeons.
- Doctors who diagnose and treat ear, nose and throat conditions and head and neck conditions, called otolaryngologists.
- Doctors who diagnose and treat conditions affecting hormones and the endocrine system, called endocrinologists.
- Doctors who diagnose and treat conditions affecting the eyes and vision, called ophthalmologists.
- Doctors who use radiation to treat cancers and tumors, called radiation oncologists.
- Doctors who use medicine to treat cancer, called medical oncologists.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
What you can do
- Write down any symptoms you've been experiencing and how long you've had them.
- List your key medical information, including all conditions you have and the names of any medicines you're taking. Include prescription medicines and medicines you can buy without a prescription.
- Note any family history of skull base tumors, especially in a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling.
- Take a family member or friend along. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all of the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who goes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your healthcare professional.
Questions to ask at your first appointment include:
- What may be causing my symptoms?
- Are there any other possible causes?
- What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
- What do you recommend for the next steps in determining my diagnosis and treatment?
- Should I see a specialist?
Questions to ask an oncologist or a neurologist include:
- Do I have a skull base tumor?
- What type of skull base tumor do I have?
- How will the tumor grow over time?
- What might be the consequences?
- What are the goals of my treatment?
- Am I a candidate for surgery? What are the risks?
- Am I a candidate for radiation therapy? What are the risks?
- Will I need chemotherapy?
- What treatment approach do you recommend?
- If the first treatment isn't successful, what will we try next?
- What is the outlook for my condition?
- Do I need a second opinion?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask any other questions that may come up during your appointment.
What to expect from your doctor
Be prepared to answer questions about your symptoms and your health history. Questions may include:
- What are your symptoms?
- When did you first notice these symptoms?
- Have your symptoms gotten worse over time?
- If you have pain, where does the pain seem to start?
- Does the pain spread to other parts of your body?
- Have you participated in any activities that might explain the pain, such as a new exercise or a long stretch of gardening?
- Have you experienced any weakness or numbness in your legs?
- Have you had any difficulty walking?
- Have you had any problems with your bladder or bowel function?
- Have you been diagnosed with any other medical conditions?
- Are you currently taking any medicines, including prescription medicines and medicines that you can get without a prescription?
- Do you have any family history of noncancerous or cancerous tumors?