Brain Tumour Alliance Australia
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Overview
The main treatments for brain and spinal cord surgery are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy.
You may have one or more treatments depending on the type of tumour, your symptoms and general health.
Medicines, such as steroids or anticonvulsants, may reduce symptoms such as brain swelling or manage seizures.
What's on this page
How treatment is planned
Treatments offered for a brain or spinal cord tumour will depend on:
- the type, size, grade, location and genetic make-up of the tumour
- your age, medical history and general state of health
- the symptoms you have
- the aim of treatment – whether to remove as much of the tumour as possible; to slow the tumour’s growth; or to relieve symptoms by shrinking the tumour and reducing swelling.
The tumour type may not be known for certain until after a biopsy or surgery. Treatment is planned by what the surgeon thinks the tumour may be from scans. For a benign tumour, surgery may be the only treatment. For a malignant tumour, treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, and drug therapies such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy. Medicines, such as steroids or anticonvulsants, may reduce symptoms or manage seizures. You may have a new or modified treatment, such as immunotherapy, on a clinical trial.
Types of treatments
Surgery
Brain or spinal cord surgery may remove the whole tumour (total resection) or remove part of the tumour (partial resection or debulking).Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses a controlled dose of radiation, such as x-ray beams, to kill or damage tumour cells.Drug therapies
Chemotherapy and targeted therapy are used to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.Treatments to control symptoms
Steroids
Steroids
Steroids (also known as corticosteroids) are made naturally in the body, but they can also be made and used as drugs. Brain tumours and their treatments can both lead to swelling in the brain. Steroids may help to reduce this swelling. They can be given before, during and after surgery and radiation therapy. The most commonly used steroid for people with brain tumours is dexamethasone. It is usually given as a tablet but may be given in a vein (intravenously) if needed.
Side effects of steroids
Side effects of steroids
The side effects you may experience with steroids depend on the dose and length of treatment:
Short-term use
You may experience increased appetite and weight gain; trouble sleeping; restlessness; mood swings; anxiety; and, in rare cases, more serious changes to thinking and behaviour. In people who have diabetes, steroids can quickly lead to high or unstable blood sugar levels. These short-term side effects can be managed. Eating before taking steroids can reduce the chance of them irritating your stomach.
Longer-term use
If steroids are taken for several months, they can cause puffy skin (fluid retention or oedema) in the feet, hands or face; high blood pressure; weight gain; unstable blood sugar levels; diabetes; muscle weakness; and loss of bone density (osteoporosis). You are more likely to get infections. Your doctor may change your dose to manage your side effects. Most side effects go away after treatment ends.
Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants
You may be given anticonvulsants to help control seizures (see Living with a brain or spinal cord tumour) which can also affect your mood and energy. An experienced counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist can help you manage any mood swings or behavioural changes. If you or your family are worried about side effects, talk to a doctor, nurse or call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20.
Palliative treatment
Palliative treatment helps to improve quality of life by managing the symptoms when a brain tumour is no longer curable. As well as slowing the spread of cancer, palliative treatment can relieve pain and help with other symptoms. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or other medicines.
Palliative treatment is one aspect of palliative care, in which a team of health professionals aims to meet your physical, emotional, cultural, spiritual and social needs. You can have palliative care services in the home as well as in a hospital or in residential
care.
For more information, see Palliative care and Living with advanced cancer.
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