| The brain is the body’s most complex organ, so | | | | destroy tumor cells in your brain. Radiation plays a |
| it’s no overstatement that treatment for brain | | | | central role in the successful treatment of many brain |
| tumors requires the latest technology skillfully used | | | | tumors, both benign and malignant. After surgery, |
| by a highly experienced medical team. Brain tumors | | | | any remaining tumor cells can be treated and |
| typically are categorized as either primary or | | | | controlled with radiation, often reducing their size and |
| secondary. Primary brain tumors originate in your brain | | | | rate of growth. Radiation also helps to prevent or |
| and can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous | | | | delay the recurrence of tumors. Additionally, radiation |
| (malignant). Secondary brain tumors result from | | | | has proven to be extremely helpful in treating |
| cancer that began elsewhere and spread to your | | | | inoperable tumors. There are different forms of |
| brain. | | | | radiation used for specific types and sizes of tumors. |
| A tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells. Brain | | | | Chemotherapy: These drugs, taken by mouth or |
| tumors typically are categorized as primary or | | | | intravenously, can help kill cancerous tumor cells. |
| secondary. Primary brain tumors (gliomas) originate in | | | | Chemotherapy consists of a series of drugs that |
| the brain and can be benign (slow growing) or | | | | interfere with the normal functioning of the rapidly |
| malignant (fast growing). Secondary brain tumors | | | | dividing cells of the tumor. This prevents the tumor |
| (metastatic brain tumors), which are malignant, are | | | | from growing. Most of these chemotherapy drugs |
| more common. These tumors result from cancer that | | | | are given in combination so that they are most |
| started elsewhere in the body and spread | | | | effective. Research is being conducted to determine |
| (metastasized) to the brain. Brain tumors are often | | | | the best combination of chemotherapy drugs to |
| challenging for doctors to treat. | | | | combat brain tumors. Some chemotherapy drugs are |
| Treatment of Brain Tumor | | | | injected directly into the bloodstream while others |
| Surgery: This is the mainstay of brain tumor | | | | can be taken by pill, at home. |
| treatment. It involves removing as much of the | | | | Emotional Support |
| tumor as possible while trying to minimize damage to | | | | Because of the low-cure rates of most malignant |
| healthy tissue. Some tumors can be removed | | | | brain tumors, support for the patients and their |
| completely, while others can be removed only | | | | families is a critical component of treatment and |
| partially or not all. If a tumor is slow-growing, doctors | | | | management. In response to one survey of patients |
| may not operate immediately, but take a | | | | with gliomas, experts made several recommendations |
| watch-and-wait approach. | | | | to help both patients and caregivers: |
| Tumors can be difficult to remove completely by | | | | Any physical impairment that could benefit from |
| surgery alone, because the tumor invades | | | | home equipment or physical therapy should be |
| surrounding brain tissue much like roots from a plant | | | | identified and treated. |
| spread through soil. In cases where the tumor cannot | | | | Patients should discuss emotional as well as physical |
| be removed, surgery may still help reduce pressure | | | | issues with their doctors. Depression, for instance, |
| and relieve symptoms. | | | | can be medically treated. Caregivers should also seek |
| The body and its internal organs are virtually | | | | help for the inevitable stress, depression, and tension |
| impossible to immobilize, requiring imaging throughout | | | | arising from their difficult role. |
| a linac treatment. The physician needs constant | | | | Relaxation techniques, meditation, and spiritual |
| imaging to treat with confidence and often reduces | | | | resources can be extremely helpful. Support groups |
| the dose and increases the number of treatment | | | | are beneficial, but experts recommend separate |
| sessions to compensate. | | | | groups for patients and their families. |
| Radiation: High-energy radiation can be used to | | | | |