HJAR Sep/Oct 2022

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  SEP / OCT 2022 49 Ali Krisht, MD Director CHI St. Vincent Arkansas Neuroscience Institute UNTIL our current age, the diagnosis of glio- blastoma, an aggressive and quickly grow- ing brain tumor, had been an overwhelm- ingly fatal one. Fortunately, and thanks to the dedication of a generation of neurosur- geons committed to this field, this is no lon- ger the case. Due to advancements in the field of neurosurgery, it is possible to add many quality years to our patients’lives. Outcomes for these patients have equally improved exponentially. Glioblastoma is the most common malig- nant brain tumor in adults. There are many variables associated with glioblastoma, in- cluding the location within the brain, origin, a patient’s age or gender, subtype, and envi- ronment. Glioblastomas do not discriminate regarding age, but they do occur mostly in older patients. Signs of glioblastoma include, but are not limited to, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. Approximately 15,000 people are diagnosed nationally each year. As with any cancer, early detection is especially important. When physicians encounter patients di- agnosed with a glioblastoma in their clinical setting, it is imperative to connect themwith a facility that specializes in its treatment and has a well-established neuro oncology pro- gram. The CHI St. VincentArkansas Neurosci- ence Institute (ANI) is one such facility here in Arkansas. In fact, compared to a national average three-year survival rate of 8.8%, ad- vancements in the field and focused develop- ment of new techniques have allowedANI to improve that figure to 34% for our patients. Modern, enhanced digital mapping tech- nology now provides neurosurgeons with a much clearer understanding of the patient’s condition long before surgery begins. Iden- tifying exactly where the tumor is located in relation to other parts of the brain long before surgery allows us to develop targeted treat- ments and to developmuch safer approaches to surgery. In the past, surgeons often would not know what they were dealing with until surgery was well underway. This advanced in- sight alone has led to significantly improved outcomes for patients. The standard treatment plan to address glioblastomas includes surgical removal, ra- diation, and chemotherapy, or a combination of these. Surgery alone is often not enough to address glioblastomas as these tumors are very invasive in nature. These tumor cells invade surrounding brain tissue, making it very challenging to remove every trace of the tumor with surgery alone. Fortunately, we have seen technological advances in all three of these fields of treatment. It’s also important to understand that to- day’s treatment does not end with surgery and radiation. Following treatment, patients are seen every two months for careful moni- toring, and a neuro oncology nurse is always available for calls and consultations. It is this attention that leads to better prognosis for our patients. Glioblastomas typically have a high recurrence rate, and following these patients closely provides us with the oppor- tunity to know that recurrence is beginning to take place even before the patient experi- ences any symptoms. Monitoring provides a chance to respond early, change medications, or schedule another treatment. We must stay ahead of the tumor. ANI was developed not only as a resource for patients but also as a lighthouse for other physicians in this field striving to improve treatments, techniques, and, most important- ly, outcomes for their patients. In addition to providing leading-edge treatment for our patients, our team is also committed to re- search and education. That includes sharing best practices and new skills with the other neurosurgeons who come to our facility quite literally from around the world. If we truly want to improve the lives of our patients, the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing cannot be overstated. Thanks to all these advancements in knowledge, technology, and new techniques, today, we can safely remove tumors in the least accessible parts of the brain that may have been considered completely inoperable just a decade or two ago. That said, knowl- edge and technology cannot continue to move us forward on their own. We must re- main entirely committed to our patients and give themhope. My teamdoes not give up on patients. We do not believe in the impossible. Patients frequently come to us with condi- tions they have been told are inoperable, and with the right knowledge, we’re able to give them new hope and quality years of life to spend with their family and loved ones. With preparation, persistence, proactive treatment, and the necessary knowledge, we can provide patients with a future they may not have been able to imagine years ago. That is what they deserve, and that must be our mission as we move forward. n