Brain cancer is a disease wherein the tissues of the brain are being affected. Unlike other types of cancer, brain cancer doesn’t often spread to different parts of your body.
A person usually experiences headache and tends to ignore it. As tumor grows in the brain, the headache worsens. Patient may also have focal neurologic symptoms such as cognitive and behavioral impairment, personality changes, hemiparesis, visual field impairment, tremor and more. Manifestation of these symptoms depends on the location of the tumor.
Patients should be aware of his/choice of treatment options. Expected results and risks should also be tackled and thoroughly discussed. Treatment depends on several factors including the type, location and size of the tumor. Mode of treatment may be surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.
Surgery
Surgery is the usual mode of treatment for brain tumors. It removes the tumor in the brain. It is performed under general anesthesia wherein a portion of the skull is removed to access the brain. After removing the tumor, the surgeon closes the opening using metal, a piece of bone or fabric. He then closes the incision with the scalp.
There are instances that the doctor cannot remove the entire tumor without damaging the normal cells adjacent to it. In this case, a patient may receive radiation or other treatment options.
Radiation
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to kill the cancer cells. It focuses eliminating the brain tumor by shrinking it in series of days. Radiotherapy targets the cancer cells, leaving and protecting good tissues that surround the tumor. It usually follows surgery. Most patients who cannot have surgery consider radiotherapy as an alternative.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill the cancer. It may be given by mouth or injection. The drugs then enter the bloodstream and are distributed throughout the body. Chemotherapy can be administered in an outpatient department of the hospital, at the doctor’s clinic or at home. Children are more likely to use chemotherapy as mode of treatment. Adults may use chemotherapy after surgery and radiotherapy.
