What Are the Treatment Options for Brain Cancer?

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with brain cancer, you likely have a lot of questions about the road ahead. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two-thirds of all new cancers are diagnosed in people who are 60 or older.

Getting educated on the available treatment options is an important first step. Being informed will help you have productive conversations with your medical team to determine the best plan for you. Below we’ll explore some of the most common cancer treatments patients take after a brain cancer diagnosis.

Considering Surgery

One of the first cancer treatment decisions you’ll likely face is whether or not to pursue surgery. The goal of brain cancer surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible without impacting critical areas of the brain.

Factors that determine if surgery makes sense include the tumor’s location, size, type, and overall health. Potential benefits of surgery include eliminating symptoms, improving prognosis, and allowing better access to adjuvant treatments like radiation and chemotherapy to target remaining cancer cells.

Evaluating Radiation Therapy

Another major cancer treatment route is radiation. This uses high-energy particles to damage cancer cell DNA and stop their ability to divide and grow. Two main types, external beam radiation, and Brachytherapy, might be used alone or along with other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy.

Figuring out if radiation could help depends on the type of tumor, location, size, and your age and overall health. Radiation does pose risks like hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and cognitive changes.

Exploring Clinical Trials

If standard treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy aren’t working or aren’t recommended, exploring clinical trials makes sense. These research studies test promising new therapies and offer hope when conventional methods fail.

Accessing cutting-edge treatment options not yet available to the public is a major potential benefit of clinical trials. Downsides include unknown side effects, placebo risk, and extra time for tests/appointments.

A brain cancer diagnosis leaves you facing many unknowns and critical choices. However, arming yourself with information on the available treatment options offers a sense of control and clarity. Don’t hesitate to lean on your medical team, support network, and other resources as you determine the best path forward.

The more you understand this diagnosis, the better equipped you’ll be to take charge of your treatment plan. If you need cancer treatment, call Phoenix Cyberknige today to learn about the options available to you.

Posted 2/27/24