RADIATION
THERAPY FOR BRAIN TUMORS
Understanding Your Treatment Options
 About
Brain Tumors The brain is the center 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. General
Risk Factors for Brain Tumors Most brain and spinal cord tumors
have no known risk factors and occur for no apparent reason. There are no known
proven ways to prevent these tumors. Facts about Brain Tumors -
The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States estimates
that more than 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor this
year. -
This year, an estimated 170,000 Americans
will be diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor that has spread from another
part of the body.
Signs of Brain
Tumors No blood test or other screening exam can detect brain
tumors, but there are often some outward signs. While tumors in different parts
of the central nervous system disrupt different functions, some symptoms include:
-
Headaches. -
Nausea/vomiting. -
Seizures. -
Weakness or numbness
on one side of the body. -
Changes in vision,
hearing or sensation. -
Difficulty with speech. -
Lack of coordination. -
A change
in mood or personality. -
Memory loss.
Diagnosing Brain Tumors If you suffer from any of the
initial signs of a brain tumor, your doctor will likely conduct some or all of
the following tests: -
A physical exam to
determine your overall health. -
A neurologic exam
to evaluate brain and spinal cord function. -
Imaging
studies, such as CT, MRI or PET scans, to look for signs of a brain tumor. -
If studies or scans indicate you might have a brain tumor,
some tissue may be taken from the tumor to make an exact diagnosis. This test
is called a biopsy. -
A spinal tap may also be
performed to look for tumor cells. During this test, a needle is placed in the
lower back to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid is then examined
to see if tumor cells are present. Treating
Brain Tumors If doctors determine that you have a tumor, the treatment
options and prognosis are based on the following factors: -
Tumor type. -
Location and size of tumor. -
Tumor 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 tumors. -
Doctors called radiation
oncologists use radiation therapy to try to kill tumors, to control tumor growth
or to relieve symptoms. -
Radiation therapy works
within tumor cells by damaging their ability to multiply. When these cells die,
the body naturally eliminates them. -
Healthy cells
near the tumor may be affected by radiation, but they are able to repair themselves
in a way tumor cells cannot. Radiation
Therapy Options for Brain Tumors People with brain tumors should
discuss treatment options with several 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 tumor. Conventional radiation
therapy treatment options for brain tumors include: External
Beam Radiotherapy External beam radiotherapy 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 or 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 tumor allows coverage of the brain tumor while keeping radiation
away from nearby organs, such as the eyes. -
Intensity
modulated radiation therapy or 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 tumor, in some cases in only
one treatment. -
Proton therapy is given much the
same way as external beam therapy, but it uses proton particles rather than X-rays
to kill brain tumor cells. This treatment is only available in a few regions of
the country. Internal Radiation Therapy
Internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy works by placing radioactive sources
in or just next to a tumor. -
During brachytherapy,
a tube or balloon called a catheter will be inserted into the brain. The radiation
will then be carried to the tumor using this catheter. -
The radioactive source will then be left in place from several hours to several
days to kill the tumor cells. -
In some cases,
the radiation is permanently placed directly into the tumor or the area where
the tumor was before surgery. Newer
Techniques Doctors are constantly exploring newer and better ways
to treat primary brain tumors. -
Drugs that
make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation are called radiosensitizers. Combining
radiation with radiosensitizers may allow doctors to kill more tumor cells. -
Chemotherapy is used with radiation to treat some brain tumors.
Your doctor may recommend that you consult with a medical oncologist (chemotherapy
doctor) before starting radiation. Potential
Side Effects The effects of brain radiation can vary depending
on your tumor and the technique used to treat it. -
Before treatment, your radiation oncologist will discuss any side effects Ehowever
rare Eyou may experience. -
Possible side effects
can include fatigue, change in appetite, headaches, visual changes, hair loss,
skin irritation, nausea, vomiting and/or unsteadiness. -
Some side effects can be treated with steroids or other medications. Talk to your
doctor about any problems you experience. Helpful
Web Sites on Brain Tumors :: American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org American
Brain Tumor Association
www.abta.org National
Brain Tumor Foundation
www.braintumor.org The
Brain Tumor Society
www.tbts.org National
Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov Learning
About Clinical Trials The radiation oncology team is constantly
exploring new ways to treat people with brain tumors through studies called clinical
trials. Today's standard radiation therapy treatments are a result of clinical
trials completed many years ago. For more information, please contact the following
organizations: National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials Radiation
Therapy Oncology Group
www.rtog.org About
the Radiation Oncology Team Radiation oncologists are the doctors
who oversee the care of each patient undergoing radiation treatment. Other members
of the radiation oncology team include radiation therapists, radiation oncology
nurses, medical physicists, dosimetrists, social workers and nutritionists. To
locate a radiation oncologist in your area, visit www.astro.org/patient. About
ASTRO The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
is the largest radiation oncology society in the world. The Society's mission
is to advance the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient
care, promoting research and disseminating research results.
American Society
for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Copyright 2003-2005 | 
