Brain Tumor Treatment

   

Brain Tumor Treatment
   

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, DOCTOR IN MEDICINE

The treatment of brain tumors depends on the type, size and location of the tumor. Other important factors include the general state of health of the patient, his age and how disperse cancer is. Treatments that may be offered include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these.
Surgery

Surgery is the most common approach to treating primary tumors, which are tumors that have originated in brain tissue. Before the surgery begins, the patient is given general anesthesia. A section of the skull is removed to provide access to the brain in a procedure called craniotomy and then the tumor is cut and removed. The removed piece of skull is replaced and the scalp is stitched and bandaged reserve.

Sometimes, this form of surgery is not possible if the tumor is deep inside brain tissue and difficult to remove without damaging surrounding tissue. In these cases, radiosurgery using high-energy radiation directed at the tumor can be used instead.
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy

For primary malignant tumors, surgery is usually followed with chemotherapy and radiation therapy to help prevent the tumor that grows back. In some cases of the benign primary tumor that is difficult to get up to, these treatments can be used instead of surgery to shrink the tumor. Radiation therapy involves radiation from high energy that is focused on the tumor, but at a lower intensity and for a longer period than in radiosurgery. Chemotherapy involves the use of anticancer agents to kill cancer cells and can be given in tablet form, intravenously or inwardly as an implant.
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Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy can be delivered externally or internally. External radiation therapy uses a large machine to direct radiation into the tumor over a course of daily treatments that last for days or weeks. Internal radiotherapy or brachytherapy involves the placement of a small radioactive implant near the cancer site.
Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can be given during and after radiation therapy with or without surgery. Carmustine and temozolomide are two examples of chemotherapy drugs currently used in the treatment of high-grade brain tumors. Common side effects of chemotherapy include nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal disorder, anemia, susceptibility to infection, low hair loss, decreased appetite, mouth ulcers and weakness.

For brain tumors or secondary cancers that have spread to the brain of cancer in other parts of the body, treatment objectives to relieve symptoms and prolong life, since cancer can not be cured. Treatment may involve corticosteroid pills to reduce pressure within the brain, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to shrink or control the tumor, anti-epileptic medication to prevent catches, analgesics and anti-nausea drugs.