by Brain cancer is a complex condition that requires personalized treatment approaches. Patients often face various treatment options, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Each method has distinct processes, goals, and potential outcomes. Here is more information about these three treatments to provide an understanding of how they apply to managing brain cancer:
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays, such as X-rays or proton beams, to target and destroy cancer cells. It is helpful in treating many cancers, including brain cancer. Specialists carefully plan this treatment to focus on the affected area while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Radiation can be delivered in different forms, such as external beam radiation, which directs radiation from outside the body, or brachytherapy, where radioactive material is implanted near the tumor. The decision on the radiation type often depends on the tumor’s size, location, and type. Patients typically undergo several sessions over weeks, as the treatment involves precise targeting. Side effects may include fatigue, swelling, and skin irritation near the treated area. Radiation therapy is often used as a standalone treatment or combined with other methods.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to attack cancer cells throughout the body. For brain cancer, doctors prescribe specific chemotherapy drugs that can breach the blood-brain barrier, allowing the medication to reach the tumor. While chemotherapy is rarely used in treatment alone, it complements other treatment paths.
Depending on the treatment plan, chemotherapy can be administered orally, intravenously, or directly into the brain. The drugs work by disrupting the cancer cells’ growth and proliferation. This approach targets the primary tumor and can address cancer cells that may have spread to other areas. It can also be used to prevent any remaining cancer cells from spreading after surgery.
Chemotherapy treatment varies in frequency and length, depending on the type of tumor and its response to the drugs. Common side effects include nausea, hair loss, and reduced blood cell counts, which could increase susceptibility to infections. Chemotherapy is often combined with radiation therapy or surgery for a comprehensive treatment plan.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is often the first step in treating brain tumors, especially when the goal is to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Neurosurgeons use advanced imaging and techniques to distinguish cancerous tissues from healthy brain tissue accurately. Removing the tumor can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. If complete removal isn’t feasible due to the tumor’s location or its impact on key brain functions, partial removal can still help reduce the tumor’s size to make other treatments, like radiation or chemotherapy, more effective.
Surgical procedures may involve risks such as swelling, infection, or neurological changes. Recovery periods vary and depend on the procedure’s complexity. Surgeons collaborate with oncology teams to integrate surgery with other treatments for a comprehensive approach.
Get Brain Cancer Treatment
Brain cancer treatment planning involves a multidisciplinary team of specialists who evaluate a combination of factors, such as the tumor’s type, stage, and location and the patient’s health history. Radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery are often applied in tandem to create an individualized treatment strategy. While these treatments hold promise for managing brain cancer, patients and caregivers should have detailed discussions with their medical teams to understand the options.
