Brain Cancer (cont.)
What is the prognosis (outcome) of treated brain cancer?
Survival of treated brain cancer varies with the cancer type, location, and overall age and general health of the patient. In general, most treatment plans seldom result in a cure. Reports of survival greater that five years (which is considered to be long-term survival), vary from less than 10% to a high of 32%, no matter what treatment plan is used.
So, why use any treatment plan? Without treatment, brain cancers are usually aggressive and result in death within a short time span. Treatment plans can prolong survival and can improve the patient's quality of life for some time. Again, the patient and caregivers should discuss the prognosis when deciding on treatment plans.
What can I do to help my family (and me) cope with my diagnosis of brain
cancer?
Discuss your concerns openly with your doctors and family members. It is
common for brain cancer patients to be concerned about how they can continue to
lead their lives as normally as possible; it is also common for them to become
anxious, depressed, and angry. Most people cope better when they discuss their
concerns and feelings. Although some patients can do this with friends and
relatives, others find solace in support groups (people who have brain cancer
and are willing to discuss their experiences with other patients) composed of
people who have experienced similar situations and feelings. The patient's
treatment team of doctors should be able to connect patients with support
groups. In addition, information about local support groups is available from
the American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp.
How is brain cancer prevented?
Although there is no way to prevent brain cancers, early diagnosis and treatment of tumors that tend to metastasize to the brain may reduce the risk of metastatic brain tumors. The following factors have been suggested as possible risk factors for primary brain tumors: radiation to the head, HIV infection, and environmental toxins. However, no one knows the exact causes that initiate brain cancer, especially primary brain cancer, so specific preventive measures are not known. Although Web sites and popular press articles suggest that macrobiotic diets, not using cell phones, and other methods will help prevent brain cancer, there is no reliable data to support these claims.
Where can I get more information about my type of brain cancer?
There are many types of brain cancer. For more specific information about a
cancer type, questions and discussions with the patient's treatment team are the
best way to obtain specific information. Also, there are many online resources
available about brain cancer types. Often, these resources provide additional
detailed information about pathology, statistics, treatments, and support groups
for brain cancer patients. A few of the Web sites are listed below.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/types/brain/
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/brain
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/eatinghints/page3#C18
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/brain_cancer/page8_em.htm
- Brain cancer can arise from many different types of brain cells (primary brain cancer) or occur when cancer cells from another part of the body spread (metastasize) to the brain.
- Symptoms of brain cancer vary but often include weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, and headaches. Other common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, or a change in a person's alertness, mental capacity, memory, speech, or personality.
- Tests for brain cancer involve a history, physical exam, and usually a CT or MRI brain scan; sometimes a brain tissue biopsy is done.
- Treatments usually are directed by a team of doctors and are designed for the individual patient; treatments may include surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy, often in combination.
- Side effects of treatments range from mild to severe, and patients need to discuss plans with their treatment team members to clearly understand potential side effects and their prognosis (outcomes).
- Depending on the brain cancer type and overall health status of the patient, brain cancer frequently has only a fair to poor prognosis
References:
NIH.gov., Brain Cancer, 2009
Cancer.org., American Cancer Society; Detailed guide: Brain/CNS Tumors in Adults, 2009
NCI.NIH.gov., National Cancer Institute, Adult Brain Tumor Treatments, 2009
Last Editorial Review: 8/28/2009
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