How is brain cancer treated? Let's talk about this!

It's hard to put into words what you feel when a doctor says 'brain tumor' or 'cancer.' You and your loved ones will have many questions. What treatments are available? How effective are they? What are the side effects? It's natural to wonder about all of these things. But don't worry, there is a team of doctors and nurses to help you on this journey and answer your questions.

How to plan treatment?

Treating brain cancer is a complex process. In fact, it's a team effort. It involves a team of specialists working together to create the best treatment plan for you. Your medical team may include:

• Neurosurgeons: Specialists in the brain and nervous system.
• Oncologists: Doctors who specialize in cancer.
• Radiation Oncologists: Specialists in providing radiation therapy.
• Your family doctor (Primary Doctor): The person who looks after your overall health.

In addition, other people such as nutritionists, social workers, and physiotherapists may join this team.

The treatment you receive will depend on several factors.

• Type of cancerous tumor.
• The size of the tumor and its location in the brain.
• Your age and overall health.
• Possible risks of a certain treatment.
• Other illnesses you have.
• What treatment method do you prefer the most?

What is surgery?

Many people with brain tumors will need surgery. During surgery, the surgeon will first confirm that you have a tumor and then try to remove it completely. Sometimes, if the tumor cannot be completely removed, a small piece of tissue (a biopsy) will be taken for testing to find out what type it is.

Things to do before surgery

Sometimes you may be given several other treatments before the operation .

• Reduce swelling: A steroid medication such as Dexamethasone can be given to reduce swelling in the brain.
• To control seizures: Anticonvulsant medications can be given to stop or control seizures.
• To remove excess fluid: If cerebrospinal fluid has accumulated around the brain, a thin plastic tube called a shunt can be inserted to remove it. One end of this tube is placed where the fluid is accumulating, and the other end is directed under the skin to another part of the body. This allows the excess fluid to drain from the brain to a place where it can be easily removed from the body.

Types of surgery

There are two main types of surgery.

1. Craniotomy: This is the most commonly used method. The surgeon cuts the skin of the skull, removes a small portion of the skull, and exposes the brain. The tumor is then removed, either completely or as much as possible. Finally, the removed portion of the skull is put back in place and the skin is sewn up.

2. Neuroendoscopy: This involves making a small hole in the skull, or going through the nose or mouth, depending on the location of the tumor, and using small instruments to remove the tumor. The doctor uses images from a small camera on one of these instruments to locate and remove the tumor on a monitor in the operating room.

Let's learn about radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is a treatment that uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells and stop them from growing and spreading.

This treatment is used for people who cannot have surgery. It is also used to destroy any cancer cells that may remain after surgery. This is a local therapy . This means that the rays are only directed at the tumor. Therefore, there is very little damage to other healthy cells in the body or brain.

There are several main methods of delivering radiation therapy:

• External Radiation: A beam of high-energy radiation is aimed at the cancerous tumor. The radiation passes through the skin, skull, and healthy brain tissue to reach the tumor. This treatment is usually given 5 days a week for several weeks. It only takes a few minutes at a time.
• Internal Radiation: This involves placing a small radioactive capsule inside the tumor. The radiation emitted from the capsule destroys the tumor.
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery: This destroys the cancerous tumor without opening the skull. High-energy radiation beams are directed at the tumor from different angles at the same time, destroying it. It has fewer complications and a shorter recovery time than conventional surgery.

Chemotherapy is a treatment method.

Chemotherapy is a treatment method that uses powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells.

You may be given one medicine or a combination of medicines. These are given as pills or given through an IV. Some medicines are also given through a shunt, which is the same thing that was mentioned earlier, to remove excess fluid from the brain.

Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles . This means that you get a short period of intense treatment, followed by a period of rest and recovery. A cycle can last several weeks. You may need to have several cycles. Then you have a short break to see what the treatment has done to your tumor.

What happens after treatment? (Follow-up Care)

After surgery to remove a brain tumor, you will need to stay in the hospital for several days to recover. This time can vary depending on your age, health condition, and the type of treatment.

During your recovery, you may have painless tests, such as CT scans and MRI scans, to check for changes in your brain. Depending on your condition, you may need to stay in a rehabilitation center for a while.

There are various specialists to help you after surgery.

Complications and when to call your doctor

If you have difficulty breathing or a seizure (especially if it is different from a previous seizure, or if you have never had a seizure before) after you return home, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.

In addition, call your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms:

• Memory problems
• Seeing or hearing things that are not there (Hallucinations)
• Big changes in mood
• Difficulty defecating and urinating
• Frequent headaches
• Weakness or numbness in the limbs
• Nausea
• Fever over 100.5 Fahrenheit

If any questions arise about your health during your recovery, don't delay in talking to your doctor.

How important is psychological support?

Living with cancer is a big challenge for you, your family, and your friends. It's normal to wonder how this disease will affect your life and whether you'll ever be able to continue with your family, work, and friendships as before.

Often, talking about your feelings and fears can be a great relief. Your friends and family can be a great source of support. They may be hesitant to help until they see how you are coping. So don't wait for them to talk. If you need to talk, tell them.

Some people don't want to be a "burden" to their loved ones. In times like these, talking to someone like a counselor can be very helpful. Also, talking to other people who are going through cancer like you can be incredibly comforting and empowering. You can find out about support groups at the hospital where you are receiving treatment.