Brain tumor treatment

Brain tumor  treatment
Diagnosis

If you suspect that you have a brain tumor, the doctor can recommend a series of tests and procedures, such as:

    Brain tumor MRI
    Brain tumor MRI

    A neurological examination. A neurological examination may include, among other things, control of vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength and reflexes. The difficulty in one or more areas can shed clues to the part of the brain that can be affected by a brain tumor.

    Diagnostic tests by images. Usually, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to help diagnose brain tumors. In some cases, a dye can be injected through a vein in the arm during a magnetic resonance imaging study.

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    There are a number of specialized components in the examination by means of magnetic resonance imaging, such as functional and perfusion MRI, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which can help the doctor evaluate the tumor and the treatment plan.

    Other diagnostic imaging tests may include computed tomography (CT) scan and positron emission tomography (PET).
    Tests to find cancer in other parts of the body. If the brain tumor is thought to be the result of a cancer that has spread from another part of the body, the doctor may recommend tests and procedures to determine where the cancer started. An example may be a CT scan of the chest to look for signs of lung cancer.

    Collection and analysis of a sample of abnormal tissue (biopsy). A biopsy may be performed as part of an operation to remove the brain tumor or a needle biopsy may be performed.

    A stereotactic needle biopsy can be performed for brain tumors that are in hard-to-reach or highly sensitive areas within the brain that can be damaged by more extensive surgery. The neurosurgeon makes a small hole in the skull. Then insert a thin needle through it. The tissue is removed with the needle, which is usually guided through a computerized tomography or by magnetic resonance imaging.

    The biopsy sample is then visualized under a microscope to determine if it is cancerous or benign. This information is critical to establish a diagnosis and a prognosis and, more importantly, to indicate a treatment.

Consultation on a brain tumor in Mayo Clinic Consultation on a brain tumor in Mayo Clinic
Treatment

The treatment for a brain tumor depends on the type, size and location of the tumor, as well as your general health and your preferences.
Surgery

If a brain tumor is located in an accessible place for an operation, the surgeon will work to remove as much tumor as possible.

In some cases, the tumors are small and easy to separate from the surrounding brain tissue, which makes a complete surgical removal possible. In other cases, the tumors can not be separated from the surrounding tissue, or they are located near sensitive parts within the brain, which makes the surgery risky. In these situations, the doctor removes the largest amount of tumor that is safe to remove.

Even removing a part of the brain tumor can help reduce the signs and symptoms.

Surgery to remove the brain tumor carries risks, such as infection or bleeding. Other risks may depend on the part of the brain where the tumor is located. For example, surgery on a tumor that is near the nerves that are connected to the eyes could involve a risk of vision loss.
Radiotherapy









Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as x-rays or protons, to kill tumor cells. Radiation therapy can come from a machine outside the body (external beam radiation therapy) or, in very few cases, radiation can be placed inside the body near the brain tumor (brachyradiotherapy).

External-beam radiation therapy can be focused only on the part of the brain where the tumor is located or can be applied to the entire brain (total brain radiation therapy). Total brain radiation therapy is usually used to treat cancer that has spread to the brain from somewhere else in the body.

The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the type and dose of radiation you receive. Frequent side effects during or immediately after radiation are fatigue, headaches and scalp irritation.
Radiosurgery

    Target of the gamma-ray scalpel
    Target of the gamma-ray scalpel

    Stereotactic radiosurgery
    Stereotactic radiosurgery

Stereotactic radiosurgery is not a form of surgery in the traditional sense. This is because radiosurgery uses multiple beams of radiation to provide a form of radiation treatment highly focused on killing tumor cells in a very small area. Each beam of radiation is not particularly powerful, but the point where all the beams are found, in the brain tumor, receives a very large dose of radiation to kill the tumor cells.

There are different types of technology that are used in radiosurgery that provide radiation to treat brain tumors, such as the gamma knife or linear accelerator (LINAC).

Generally, radiosurgery is done on one treatment and, in most cases, you can go home the same day.
Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill tumor cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally in tablet form or can be injected into a vein (intravenously). The chemotherapy drug that is most commonly used to treat brain tumors is temozolomide (Temodar), which is taken as a tablet. There are many other chemotherapy drugs available that can be used depending on the type of cancer.

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type and dosage of the medication you receive. Chemotherapy can cause nausea, vomiting and hair loss.
Therapy with targeted drugs

Targeted drug treatments focus on specific abnormalities present within the cancer cells. By blocking these abnormalities, treatments with targeted drugs can kill cancer cells.

A therapy with targeted medications used to treat a type of brain cancer called glioblastoma is bevacizumab (Avastin). This medication, which is given through the vein (intravenously), stops the formation of new blood vessels, which interrupts the blood supply to the tumor and kills the tumor cells.

The drug directed everolimus (Afinitor) is used to treat a benign brain tumor that manifests itself in people with a genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis. Everolimus blocks an enzyme in the body that plays a role in the growth of cancer cells.
Rehabilitation after receiving treatment

    Language therapy session
    Language therapy session

Because brain tumors can develop in parts of the brain that control motor, speech, visual, and thinking skills, rehabilitation can be a necessary part of recovery. Your doctor can refer you to services that can help you, such as the following:

    Physical therapy can help you recover lost motor skills or muscle strength.
    Occupational therapy can help you get back to your normal daily activities, including work, after having suffered a brain tumor or other illness.
    Speech therapy with specialists in speech difficulties (speech pathologists) can help you if you have difficulties in that area.




Tutoring for children who go to school can help children cope with changes in memory and thinking after suffering a brain tumor.

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Clinical studies

Explore the Mayo Clinic studies evaluating new treatments, interventions and analyzes as a means to prevent, detect, treat or control this disease.
Alternative medicine

Little research has been done on alternative and complementary treatments for brain tumors. No alternative treatments have been proven to cure brain tumors. However, complementary treatments can help the patient cope with the brain tumor and treatment. Talk to your doctor about your options.

Some complementary treatments that can help you cope with the disease include the following:

    Acupuncture
    Hypnosis
    Meditation
    Music therapy
    Relaxation exercises

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Coping strategies and support

A diagnosis of a brain tumor can be overwhelming and frightening. It can make a person feel that they have less control over their health. However, measures can be taken to deal with the shock and pain that the diagnosis can bring. Consider trying the following:

    Get enough information about brain tumors to make decisions about your medical care. Consult your doctor about your specific type of brain tumor, including your treatment options and, if you wish, your prognosis. The more you know about brain tumors, the more confidence you will have to make decisions about the treatment.
    Keep the company of your family and friends. Keeping close to people with whom you have a close relationship will help you deal with the brain tumor. Family and friends can provide the practical support you need, such as helping you take care of your home if you are in the hospital. They can be an emotional support when you feel overwhelmed by cancer.
    Find someone to talk to. Find a person who knows how to listen and who is willing to listen to you talk about your hopes and fears. It can be a family member or a friend. The interest and understanding of a therapist, medical social worker, church member, or support group for people with cancer may also be helpful.

Ask the doctor to give you information about the support groups in your area. Or you can search your phone book, library or cancer-fighting organization, such as the National Cancer Institute or the American Cancer Society.
Preparation for the consultation

Consult your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that are worrying you. If you are diagnosed with a brain tumor, you may be referred to specialists like the following:

    Doctors specialized in brain disorders (neurologists)
    Doctors who treat cancer (oncologists)
    Doctors who use radiation to treat cancer (radiation oncologists)
    Doctors specializing in types of cancer of the nervous system (neuro-oncologists)
    Surgeons who perform operations on the brain and nervous system (neurosurgeons)
    Rehabilitation specialists

A good idea is to be well prepared for the consultation. Below, you will find information that will help you prepare for the consultation and know what you should expect from the doctor.
What can you do

    Take into account any restriction prior to the consultation. When you schedule the consultation, be sure to ask if there is something you should do in advance, such as restricting your diet.
    Record any symptoms you have, even those that seem unrelated to the reason why you scheduled the query.







Record your most important personal information, including what generates the most stress or any recent change in your life.
    Make a list of all the medications, vitamins and supplements you are taking.
    Consider asking a family member or a trusted friend to be with you. At times, it can be difficult to remember all the information that is provided during a consultation. The person who accompanies you can remember some detail that you have overlooked or forgotten.
    Write questions to ask the doctor.

Your time with the doctor is limited; that's why preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. Order the questions from the most important to the least important, in case the time runs out. In case of a brain tumor, some of the basic questions you can ask the doctor are:

    What type of brain tumor do I have?
    Where is the brain tumor located?
    How big is the brain tumor?
    How aggressive is the brain tumor?
    Is the brain tumor cancerous?
    Am I going to need to do other tests?
    What are my treatment options?
    Can any treatment cure the brain tumor?
    What are the risks and benefits of each treatment?
    Do you think there is a treatment that is right for me?
    Should I see a specialist? How much will it cost? Will my insurance cover it?
    Is there a brochure or other printed material that can take me? What websites do you recommend?
    What will determine if I should schedule a follow-up visit?

In addition to the questions you prepared to ask the doctor, do not hesitate to ask any other question that comes to mind.
What to expect from the doctor

The doctor is likely to ask you a series of questions. Being ready to answer them can leave time to review the points you want to spend more time with. The doctor may ask you:

    When did you start experiencing the symptoms?
    Have the symptoms been continuous or occasional?
    How intense are the symptoms?
    Is there something that, apparently, is improving the symptoms?
    Is there something that, apparently, is making the symptoms worse?