Treatment Options For Brain Tumor Part 2
* The three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) is a conventional form of radiation therapy that uses a specific adaptation of the X-ray beams designed to conform to the shape of the tumor to maximize the tumor dose and minimize dose applied in the surrounding normal tissue. This form of treatment is customized according to the patient’s particular anatomy and the location of the tumor. Often, it requires a CT scan or MRI for treatment planning.
* Brachytherapy is the temporary location of radioactive material in the body, usually used to give an additional dose (or stimulus) of radiation in the area instead of splitting. See page Brachytherapy (www.RadiologyInfo.org/sp/info.cfm?PG=brachy) for more information.
Surgery, also called surgical resection is often indicated for primary brain tumors. In this procedure the surgeon removes all or part of the tumor without causing severe damage to surrounding tissues. Surgery can also be done to reduce pressure inside the skull (known as intracranial pressure) and to relieve symptoms (called palliative treatment) in cases where no tumor can be removed.
Chemotherapy, or anticancer drugs, may be recommended. Chemotherapy in combination with radiation therapy (concurrent), has become the standard treatment in relation to primary malignant brain tumors. The use of these drugs or chemicals slows down or kill the cells of fast playback, and can be used before, during and after surgery and / or radiation to destroy tumor cells and preventing recurrence. Chemotherapy may be taken as a pill or injection, and is often used a combination. May also be prescribed several drugs called radiosensitizers, believed to make radiation therapy more effective.