Compassionate Treatment for Skull Base Tumors Starts Here

It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed if you’ve been diagnosed with a skull base tumor. It can be a stressful diagnosis, particularly because of the proximity to the spinal cord. But you don’t have to navigate this time alone. Our team of specialists at Spartanburg-Greer ENT & Allergy will make sure you receive the highest quality treatment while feeling supported from initial diagnosis to recovery.

What Does a Skull Base Tumor Feel Like?

Symptoms of a skull base tumor include:

• Headache
• Difficulty breathing
• Blurry vision
• Trouble swallowing
• Loss of smell
• Hearing loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Memory loss

Where Do Skull Base Tumors Form?

Most of these tumors form in one of the following areas:

• The anterior compartment of the skull base, which houses the eye sockets and sinuses, is prone to meningioma, olfactory neuroblastoma and paranasal sinus cancer.
• The central compartment, home to the pituitary gland, is the site of pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngioma and Rathke’s cleft cyst.
• The posterior compartment may be affected by acoustic neuromas, chondrosarcoma, chordoma and meningioma.

How Are These Tumors Diagnosed and Treated?

Our otolaryngologist will perform physical and neurological examinations. Additional testing may include:

• CT scan
• MRI
• Bone scan
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

If a tumor is discovered, our team will guide you through the next steps. We’ll partner with you to build a treatment plan customized to your needs and based on factors like tumor location, size and whether it is benign or malignant.

Minimally invasive procedures are done whenever possible because of the location of these tumors. Options may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of treatments.

At Spartanburg-Greer ENT & Allergy, our compassionate ear, nose, and throat care providers will make sure you feel supported through every step of treatment. You don’t have to navigate this time on your own.