Brain Tumours |
About Brain Tumours
The brain is the centre of thought, memory, emotion, speech, sensation and motor function. The spinal cord and special nerves in the head called cranial nerves carry and receive messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
Treating Brain Tumours
If doctors determine that you have a tumour, the treatment options and prognosis are based on the following factors:
The brain is the centre of thought, memory, emotion, speech, sensation and motor function. The spinal cord and special nerves in the head called cranial nerves carry and receive messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
- There are two types of brain tumours:
- Primary — a tumour that starts in the brain. Primary brain tumours can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Primary tumours in the brain or spinal cord rarely spread to distant organs.
- Metastatic — a tumour caused by cancer elsewhere in the body that spreads to the brain. Metastatic brain tumours are always cancerous.
- Brain tumours cause damage because, as they grow, they can interfere with surrounding cells that serve vital roles in our everyday life.
- There are 345 new cases of Brain and Central Nervous System cancers in Ireland every year.
Treating Brain Tumours
If doctors determine that you have a tumour, the treatment options and prognosis are based on the following factors:
- Tumour type.
- Location and size of tumour.
- Tumour grade (how abnormal the cells are).
- Your age, medical history and general health.
Understanding Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, sometimes called radiotherapy, is the careful use of radiation to safely and effectively treat many different kinds of tumours.
Radiation Therapy Options for Brain Tumours People with brain tumours should discuss treatment options with a number of cancer specialists, including a radiation oncologist. A radiation oncologist is a doctor who will help you understand the types of radiation therapy available to treat your tumour. Radiation therapy treatment options for brain tumours include:
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External Beam Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation therapy involves a series of daily outpatient treatments over several weeks to accurately deliver radiation to the brain. Radiation is often given after surgery, and sometimes it is used instead of surgery.
- 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) combines multiple radiation treatment fields to deliver precise doses of radiation to the brain. Tailoring each of the radiation beams to the patient's tumour allows coverage of the diseased cells while keeping radiation away from nearby organs, such as the eyes.
- Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is the most recent advance in the delivery of radiation. IMRT differs from 3D-CRT by modifying the intensity of the radiation within each of the radiation beams.
- Stereotactic radiotherapy, sometimes called radiosurgery, is a type of external beam radiation therapy that pinpoints high doses directly on the tumour, in some cases in only one treatment..
Newer Techniques
Doctors are constantly exploring newer and better ways to treat primary brain tumours.
- Drugs that make tumour cells more sensitive to radiation are called radiosensitisers. Combining radiation with radiosensitisers may allow doctors to kill more tumour cells.
- Temedol is often given with Radiation in the treatment of brain cancers
Possible Side Effects
- Side effects from radiation can include fatigue, hair loss where you received radiation, scalp irritation and muffled hearing. These will usually resolve a month or so after treatment. However, you hair might not grow back exactly as it was before treatment.
- Radiation may also cause some short-term memory loss and difficulty thinking.
- Side effects are different for each person. Medications may be prescribed to make you as comfortable as possible.
- If at any time during your treatment you feel discomfort, tell your doctor or nurse. They can prescribe medicine to help you feel better.
Caring for Yourself During Treatment
- Get plenty of rest during treatment, and don't be afraid to ask for help.
- Follow your doctor's orders. Ask if you are unsure about anything. There are no stupid questions.
- Tell your doctor about any medications or vitamins you are taking, to make sure they are safe to use during radiation therapy.
- Eat a balanced diet. If food tastes funny or if you're having trouble eating, tell your doctor, nurse or dietician. They may be able to help you change the way you eat.
- Treat the skin exposed to radiation with special care. Stay out of the sun, avoid hot or cold packs, only use lotions and ointments after checking with your doctor or nurse, and clean the area with warm water and mild shampoo or baby shampoo.
- Battling cancer is tough. Seek our help from support groups and friends.