The treatment of brain tumors depends on their type and location where they are localized. It also depends on the patient’s age, gender, general physical health, and other risk factors associated with the treatment type. The type of treatment chosen can be used independently or usually a combination treatment protocol is designed according to each patient’s condition and health. Various brain tumor treatment options are explained in this post by Dr. Kalyan Bommakanti India’s best neurosurgeon.
- Chemotherapy:
It is a treatment protocol specifically used to kill cancer cells. It includes a combination of one or more drugs that work together to prevent cancer cells from growing and to prevent symptoms. These drugs can be taken orally or intravenously. The most common type of drug used is temodar.
Chemotherapy also possesses various side effects that include nausea, fatigue, vomiting, compromised immune system, and hair loss. These effects depend on the type of drug and dosage. Chemotherapy is considered to be more effective in lymphomas and tumors in children.
2. Radiation therapy:
The use of radiation to kill cancer is an effective treatment option. It uses x-rays and high-energy beams for this purpose. High-energy beams allow the doctor to take more precise control over the radiation. This treatment can be done via external beem radiation or internal beem radiation. In external beem radiation, the radiations come from a machine and pass through the body from outside. However, in rare cases, brachytherapy is used in which radiations are placed inside the body close to the targeted brain tumor. The side effects usually include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, memory issues, and scalp irritation.
3. Surgery:
Removal of brain tumors through surgical approach is also common however it is a challenge for the neurosurgeon to precisely remove the tumor leaving behind the healthy brain tissues intact. The aim is to remove the tumor cells as much as possible and to make sure that the patient’s vital neurological functions such as speaking, walking, etc. are preserved. The surgical approach to removing tumors has side effects such as bleeding and infection.
4. Rehabilitation:
Depending on the part of the brain where the tumor is located, various motor skills can be impaired such as vision, speech, and listening. Due to this reason, your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist, speech therapist, or occupational therapist to regain lost motor skills.