Brain Tumors: Primary

Description

Alternative Names

Treatment

The approach for treating brain tumors is to reduce the tumor as much as possible using surgery, radiation treatment (also called radiotherapy), chemotherapy, or investigative procedures. Such treatments are used alone or, more commonly, in combinations. With some very slow-growing cancers, such as those that occur in the midbrain or optic nerve pathway, patients may be closely observed and not treated until the tumor shows signs of growth. The intensity, combination, and sequence of these treatments depends on the glioma subtype, its size and location, and patient age, health status, and medical history.

Recent advances in surgical and radiation treatments have significantly extended average survival times compared to those of standard therapy. Investigative treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies, are also showing promise. Patients or their caretakers should discuss all options thoroughly with a specialist in brain cancer. Different specialists may be needed to help manage symptoms.

Emotional Support

Because of the low-cure rates of most malignant brain tumors, support for the patients and their families is a critical component of treatment and management. In response to one survey of patients with gliomas, experts made a number of recommendations to help both patients and caregivers:

• Any physical impairment that could benefit from home equipment or physical therapy should be identified and treated.
• Patients should discuss emotional as well as physical issues with their physicians. Depression, for instance, can be medically treated.
• Relaxation techniques, meditation, and spiritual resources can be extremely helpful. Support groups are beneficial, but experts recommend separate groups for patients and their families.

A 1999 study gave some comfort by reporting that children with cancer have no more emotional or social problems than their healthy peers. In fact, teachers and students reported that, on average, such children tended to be less aggressive and more likable than their peers. It is more likely that the parents and caregivers suffer more emotionally. Caregivers themselves must seek help for the inevitable stress, depression, and tension arising from their difficult role.

Lifestyle Measures

Although there is little evidence that dietary measures have any effect on brain cancer, some studies suggest the following might be helpful.

Dietary Restriction. Calorie restriction has been associated with cancer protection in some animal studies. One study reported brain tumor regression in mice that were put on a restrictive diet (calories are reduced but without causing nutritional deficiencies). Limiting calories appeared to help slow down tumor angiogenesis (blood vessel growth, which feeds the tumor). Not all animal studies support these results, however, and there are no human studies on this approach.

Soy. One study suggested that compounds in soy, such as genistein, suppresses invasiveness and growth of some cancers, including gliomas. It is not known whether this approach is beneficial to patients with brain tumors, however.