Astrocytoma Treatments

Surgery

Surgery involves the removal of as much of the tumor as possible. If the tumor is high grade, surgery will often be followed by radiation or chemotherapy to help prevent further spread.

Radiation Therapy (or Radiotherapy)

Radiation therapy involves the use of radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink the tumor. Radiation may be:

• External radiation therapy—radiation directed at the tumor from a source outside the body
• Internal radiation therapy (also called brachytherapy)—radioactive materials placed into the body near the cancer cells

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be given in many forms including pill, injection, and via a catheter (IV or port). The drugs enter the bloodstream. They travel through the body killing mostly cancer cells. Some healthy cells are killed as well.