Treatment
Options
Learn about the main treatment options for symptomatic cavernoma and how decisions are made.
Treatment Options
If you have a symptomatic cavernoma, there are different treatment approaches that may be considered depending on your individual situation. Currently, the NHS offers three options: neurosurgery, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and medical management (sometimes called ‘wait and see’).
Each approach has its own benefits and risks, and what’s right for one person may not be right for another. Your neurologist or neurosurgeon will help you decide on the best option based on the size and location of your cavernoma, your symptoms, and your overall health. Below you can explore each treatment option in more detail.
What does the research say?
Between August 2021 and January 2024, the ‘Cavernomas: A Randomised Effectiveness (CARE) Study’ took the first step to working out whether treatment of brain cavernoma with medical care and surgery (using either neurosurgery or stereotactic radiosurgery) reduces the risk of a stroke compared to medical care alone.
During follow-up, 2 out of 33 people treated with surgery (neurosurgery or stereotactic radiosurgery) had a stroke, compared with 2 out of 34 people who received medical care alone. This highlights that both treated and untreated people carry risk, and that more evidence is needed. You can read more about the CARE trial by clicking here.
Additional support
If you have recently been diagnosed with a symptomatic cavernoma, or your symptoms have changed, it is natural to have questions about treatment and what comes next. Everyone’s experience is different. Some people feel ready to move forward, while others may find this a more uncertain time. Whatever your situation, having the right support can make a real difference.
By becoming a member of Cavernoma Alliance UK (CAUK), you can access a range of free support and information. All members can contact our Helpline, join our monthly educational webinars and our monthly community chat.
If you are a UK-resident member, you can also request one-to-one buddying, counselling sessions with a therapist familiar with cavernoma, a medical alert card, opportunities to attend in-person meet-ups, and to get involved through volunteering.
