Brain Tumor (cont.)
What about rehabilitation after treatment
for brain tumors?
Rehabilitation can be a very important part of the treatment plan. The goals
of rehabilitation depend on the person's needs and how the tumor has affected
daily activities. The health care team makes every effort to help the patient
return to normal activities as soon as possible. Several types of therapists can
help:
- Physical therapists - Brain tumors and their treatment may cause
paralysis. They may also cause weakness and problems with balance. Physical
therapists help patients regain strength and balance.
- Speech therapists - Speech therapists help patients who have
trouble speaking, expressing thoughts, or swallowing.
- Occupational therapists - Occupational therapists help patients
learn to manage activities of daily living, such as eating, using the
toilet, bathing, and dressing.
Children with brain tumors may have special needs. Sometimes children have
tutors in the hospital or at home. Children who have problems learning or
remembering what they learn may need tutors or special classes when they return
to school.
What happens after treatment for brain tumors?
Regular followup is very important after treatment for a brain tumor. The
doctor checks closely to make sure that the tumor has not returned. Checkups
may include careful physical and neurologic exams. From time to time, the
patient may have MRI or CT scans. If the patient has a shunt, the doctor
checks to see that it is working well. The doctor can explain the followup
plan - how often the patient must visit the doctor and what tests will be
needed.
What support is available to patients with brain tumors?
Living with a serious disease such as a brain tumor is not easy. Some people
find they need help coping with the emotional and practical aspects of their
disease. Support groups can help. In these groups, patients or their family
members get together to share what they have learned about coping with the
disease and the effects of treatment. Patients may want to talk with a member of
their health care team about finding a support group. Groups may offer support
in person, over the telephone, or on the Internet.
People living with a brain tumor may worry about caring for their families,
keeping their jobs, or continuing daily activities. Concerns about treatments
and managing side effects, hospital stays, and medical bills are also common.
Doctors, nurses, and other members of the health care team can answer questions
about treatment, working, or other activities. Meeting with a social worker,
counselor, or member of the clergy can be helpful to those who want to talk
about their feelings or discuss their concerns. Often, a social worker can
suggest resources for financial aid, transportation, home care, or emotional
support.
The Cancer Information Service can provide information to help patients and
their families locate programs, services, and publications.
The promise of cancer research
Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical trials.
These are research studies in which people take part voluntarily. Studies
include new ways to treat brain tumors. Research has already led to advances,
and researchers continue to search for more effective approaches.
Patients who join these studies have the first chance to benefit from
treatments that have shown promise in earlier research. They also make an
important contribution to medical science by helping doctors learn more about
the disease. Although clinical trials may pose some risks, researchers take very
careful steps to protect their patients.
Researchers are testing new anticancer drugs, doses, and treatment schedules.
They are working with various drugs and drug combinations, as well as
combinations of drugs and radiation therapy. They also are testing new methods
and schedules of radiation therapy.
Patients who are interested in being part of a clinical trial should talk
with their doctor. NCI's Web site includes a section on clinical trials at
http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials. This section of the Web site provides
general information about clinical trials. It also offers detailed information
about ongoing studies of treatment for brain tumors. The Cancer Information
Service at 1-800-4-CANCER can answer questions and provide information about
clinical trials.
Next: What resources are available to brain tumor patients? »
- temozolomide-oral, Temodar - Consumer information about the medication TEMOZOLOMIDE - ORAL (Temodar), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug TEMOZOLOMIDE - ORAL.
- CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
- Headache - Learn about the different types of headaches, migraine, tension, cluster, menstrual, and spinal headaches; and their causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Latest Medical News
Neurology RSS