The 3 Main Types of Brain Tumor Treatments

We provide patients with a brain tumor treatment that is comprehensive and effective. A brain tumor is a complex and abnormal collection of cells in or on the brain. They can be very diverse and the type of brain tumor treatment that a person may receive depends greatly on the size and location of the tumor. Age and overall health also play a roll in the specific type of care a person may be given. There are also over 100 different types of brain tumors and each one is treated individually based on these things. When looking at the many different types of treatment and care for a brain tumor there are three that stand out as being the most common.

#1.  Radiation therapy or implant radiation

This particular type of brain tumor treatment targets the tumor and focuses on the collective group of cells surrounding the tumor. There are three different types of radiation therapy or implant radiation.

External – This form uses a high energy beam targeted directly at the tumor in an attempt to shrink the tumor and kill the dangerous cell. Often times this treatment is administered 5 days a week, for a few minutes each day.

Internal or “Brachytherapy” –  This is an in-hospital treatment using a radioactive capsule that is placed inside or near the brain tumor. It works to destroy the tumor by releasing radioactivity into the tumor or body over the course of treatment. It starts off strong and will release less every day until the end of treatment.

Stereotactic -  Comparable to external therapy in the way that they both use a targeted beam aimed to destroy the tumor. However, this therapy uses many beams aiming at the tumor from many angles with a more direct path to the site. This is used so that the surrounding areas of the tumor are less likely to be damaged.

#2.  Chemotherapy

Many people are at least somewhat familiar with this particular form of cancer and brain tumor treatment. It can be administered orally or through an IV line. It may come in the form of an individual medication or a combination of medications. The side effects are well-known and often frighten people. However, there are many different types of chemotherapy with varying levels of dosage and every individual body will react differently.

#3.  Surgery (Tumor Removal)

Surgery is often an attractive option if it is possible. The location of a tumor or the pace of growth could potentially make brain surgery more dangerous than the tumor itself. In the event that a tumor can be completely removed, it will often take along with it all of the symptoms that the tumor may have been causing the affected individual. A partial removal is also a positive option as it may relieve certain pressures that the tumor may be putting on the brain as well as allowing the further dissection of the tumor by our medical team.

Learn more about the various options  

The development of varying forms of brain tumor treatments is continuously moving forward. What we are limited to today may be completely different in a year or even months. The goal of our medical team is to find the best course of action for the individual we are treating. We invite you to schedule an appointment with our office to learn more about your options so that you can make an informed decision regarding how to proceed.