Procedure
Radiation therapy focuses high-energy X-rays on the tumor inside the body to specifically kill it. Radiotherapy is either an equivalent alternative to surgery in the treatment of glomus tumors or is used when surgery is not possible.
In the case of glomus tumors, surgical removal of the tumor is the treatment of first choice for fit patients. In older patients, with poor lung function, in the presence of underlying diseases, e.g. heart disease, which make anesthesia risky, or if surgery is not desired, so-called body stereotactic radiation therapy (SBRT) is an alternative treatment.
SBRT is a highly focused radiation treatment, with an accuracy in the millimeter range, and can kill the glomus tumor and achieve a cure in the vast majority of patients. Typically, 5 outpatient radiotherapy sessions are carried out over 30 minutes. Depending on the extent of the tumor, radiotherapy may also be necessary as fractionated treatment over several weeks. Close and personal support is a matter of course for us.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a key clinical and scientific focus at our clinic: Prof. M. Guckenberger and Prof. N. Andratschke played a pivotal role in developing this technique, and we share our expertise through a wide range of international courses and conferences. We are active as international experts in guideline commissions. State-of-the-art equipment and experienced medical physicists and medical technologists contribute to treatment of the highest quality and safety.
The Department of Radiation Oncology at the USZ uses only the most modern techniques for precise radiation treatment of glomus tumors with few side effects. They are supervised by internationally renowned experts in the research and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors, including glomus tumors.
