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There are several categories of nonsurgical or partially surgical treatments for brain tumors. Surgery is always the first choice, but it may not be possible or complete by itself. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments may be used, as well as other treatments, such as:
Heat
Biological Approaches
Heat
Heat destroys tissue. Several characteristics of tumors make them more susceptible to heat damage than the surrounding normal tissue. There are several effective ways to direct heat into tumors. Radiofrequency, microwave, ultrasound, and electromagnetic devices adapted to the task constitute an active area of research. Combined with surgical approaches and computerized mapping, these methods may provide effective new treatments. To date, the use of heat remains investigational only in the management of brain tumors.
Biological Approaches
Biological therapies are those that methods that do not necessarily directly destroy tumor cells by disabling their cell cycle or cell division (the mechanism by which typical cytotoxic chemotherapy works). Biological agents usually work by stimulating the immune system to recognize a cancer as foreign—a target for the body to attack.
Genetic Targets
Cancers all seem to require genetic damage to gain a foothold in the body. The cells either change to escape normal growth controls or the body loses an ability to control their growth. New techniques are under investigation that will repair damaged genes and disable genes that facilitate tumor growth.
Cytokines
A number of hormones known as cytokines help your body fight disease and play a role in cell growth and destruction. Manipulating these cytokines has already proved useful in treating several chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Among the promising cytokine treatments for treating brain tumors are agents that will prevent a cancer from generating its own blood supply, as well as others agents that will encourage tumor cells to die. These drugs are called angiogenesis inhibitors.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy represents an active area of cancer research today. Included in this arena is the development of cancer vaccines and immunomodulating agents (such as interferons and interleukins), which may stimulate the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. In other tumors, such as lymphomas, the development of antibodies directed against specific proteins found on the cancer cells has proven to be particularly effective. Although, immunotherapies have not yet demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of brain tumors.
Brain tissue may be damaged by your tumor or the techniques used to treat it. After your primary treatment plan is completed or well under way, you may be referred to rehabilitation to improve lost functions. Improving quality of life with directed rehabilitation techniques can be a worthwhile endeavor.
Rehabilitation therapy includes:
For people with brain tumors, everything that happens physically is potentially useful information. Keep communication lines open and contact your physician whenever something changes with your condition.
References:
American Brain Tumor Association website. Available at: http://hope.abta.org/site/PageServer .
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) website. Available at: http://www.aota.org/ .
American Physical Therapy Association website. Available at: http://www.apta.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home .
Brain Tumor Society website. Available at: http://www.tbts.org/ .
Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation website. Available at: http://www.childhoodbraintumor.org/ .
Children's Brain Tumor Foundation website. Available at: http://www.cbtf.org/ .
International Radiosurgery Support Association website. Available at: http://www.irsa.org/ .
National Brain Tumor Foundation (NBTF) website. Available at: http://www.braintumor.org/ .
Last reviewed April 2007 by Jondavid Pollock, MD, PhD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.