How should epilepsy caused by glioma be treated?
Disease description:
I've been experiencing headaches for a while, so I went to the hospital for an examination. The brain CT scan revealed a glioma. Moreover, I also have epilepsy, and my doctor informed me that it is epilepsy caused by the glioma. May I ask how should epilepsy caused by glioma be treated?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
The treatment of epilepsy caused by gliomas mainly includes the following aspects:
1. Surgical treatment: Surgical removal of the glioma helps control epileptic seizures. By removing the tumor as completely as possible, the pressure exerted by the lesion on the surrounding brain tissue can be relieved, thus alleviating or eliminating the symptoms of epilepsy. After successful surgery, epilepsy can be effectively controlled in many patients.
2. Medication: Commonly used antiepileptic drugs include sodium valproate, carbamazepine, levetiracetam, and others. These medications can prevent epileptic seizures by blocking excessive neuronal discharge, but must be used under the guidance of a physician, with attention to proper administration and potential side effects.
3. Radiation and chemotherapy: For patients with more severe disease or those not suitable for surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are also effective treatment options. These treatments can destroy tumor cells and reduce the pressure on brain tissue caused by the tumor, thereby alleviating or eliminating epileptic symptoms.
4. Adjunctive therapies: In addition to the main treatment methods mentioned above, other adjunctive treatments can also be considered, such as neuromodulation, EEG biofeedback, acupuncture, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
