Brain Tumor and Brain Cancer Treatment

Once cancer is found, further tests may be performed if there is concern that the cancer has spread. Treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the cancer, and your overall health. Treatments may leave you with physical or mental limitations.

Before beginning treatment, you may take medications, including:

• Steroids to decrease swelling and fluid buildup:
  • Dexamethasone
• Anticonvulsants to prevent seizures:
  • Phenytoin
  • Carbamazepine
    • If you are of Asian ancestry, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine. If you have a certain gene, you may be at risk for fatal skin reactions. *¹
  • Phenobarbital
  • Valproic acid
  • Levetiracetam
  • Or other antiseizure medications

These medications may only be helpful if you have a history of seizure disorder.

Surgery

Surgical procedures include:

• Craniotomy-opening the skull to remove the tumor or as much of the tumor as possible
• Shunt-implanting a long thin tube in the brain to divert built-up fluid to another part of the body

Radiation Therapy

The use of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This is a common treatment for brain tumors. Surgical removal can often be difficult to achieve safely. Radiation may be:

External Radiation Therapy

Radiation is directed at the tumor from a source outside the body. If you have a metastatic brain tumor, you will receive whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT). If you have a primary brain tumor, you will receive more focused radiation therapy. WRBT may also be used in people who have cancer in other areas of the body. The treatment is used to prevent brain cancer.

Internal Radiation Therapy

Radioactive materials placed into the body near the cancer cells. This is used less often.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)

Higher doses can be delivered to the affected areas of the brain. Nearby normal tissue can be spared. Special equipment, including MRI and CT scans, help to localize the delivery of the radiation. This is most often used in metastatic brain tumors or in benign brain tumors, such as Meningioma.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be given in many forms, including pill, injection, and via a catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body killing mostly cancer cells, but also some healthy cells. It may also be delivered directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, which bathes the brain tissue. This form of chemotherapy administration is called intrathecal. This is most often used when there is spread of cancer from elsewhere in the body to the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Rehabilitation Therapy

Rehabilitation therapy includes:

• Physical therapy to help with walking, balance, and building strength
• Occupational therapy to help with mastering life skills, such as dressing, eating, and using the toilet
• Speech therapy to help express thoughts and overcome swallowing difficulties

If you are diagnosed with brain cancer or a brain tumor, follow your doctor's instructions.