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Brain Cancer Treatment Options

Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is the use of high-energy rays to kills tumor cells and stop them from growing and multiplying. Radiation therapy is sometimes used for people who cannot undergo surgery. In other cases, it is used after surgery to kill any tumor calls that may remain. Radiation therapy is a local therapy. This means that it affects only cells in its path. It does not harm cells elsewhere in the body or even elsewhere in the brain.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of powerful drugs to kill tumor cells. A single drug or a combination may be used. The drugs are given by mouth or through an IV line. Some medications are given through the shunt put in place to drain excess fluid from your brain. Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. Most regimens are designed so that 2-4 cycles are completed. There is then a break in the treatment to see how your tumor has responded to the therapy.

The side effects of chemotherapy are well known and are very difficult to tolerate for some people. They include nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and many others. Some of these side effects can be relieved or improved by medication.