Brain cancer is one of dozens of cancer forms that affect people worldwide --- approximately 18,500 individuals suffer from it. There are many different types of brain cancer, and treatment for any of them can be difficult because of the location of the cancer in the body. Radiation is one treatment option for those with brain cancer. Another option is chemotherapy.
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a mode of treating cancer that involves the use of drugs. It usually is used when cancer tumors may be too widespread in the body for surgery, or when a tumor is in a position in the body that does not allow for surgery to be completed. It often is used in conjunction with radiation therapy.
When Is It Used?
Chemotherapy is used to treat malignant brain tumors --- it is not used to treat benign tumors. Usually it is administered after radiation therapy, but this depends on the type of brain cancer, as some cancers respond more readily to chemotherapy than to radiation and vise versa.
Administration
Chemotherapy for brain cancer usually is administered orally through pills. It also can be given through an intravenous injection. A final method of administering chemotherapy to brain cancer patients involves placing medications directly onto the area of the brain that is diseased after the primary tumor or tumors have been removed.
Types
There are several chemotherapy drugs for brain cancer. These include procarbazine, platinum analogs and temozolomide. The drug that is prescribed often is dependent on the type of cancer, the individual's medical history and the potential side effects.
Limitations
Chemotherapy use is limited in brain cancer treatment. The primary reason for this is the way that chemotherapy works. Chemotherapy medications work by stopping cancer cells from dividing so fast, but most brain cancers divide very slowly anyway, so the drugs don't have much of an effect. Many drugs have trouble passing through the blood/brain barrier and thus are ineffective at reaching the cancer cells.
Side Effects
Chemotherapy has significant side effects, including nausea, ulcerations of the mouth and intestines, diarrhea, hair loss and negative effects on the reproductive cells of both men and women. Finally, chemotherapy for brain cancer actually may increase the risk of developing another cancer because many chemotherapy drugs are carcinogenic. This is true for other forms of cancer aside from brain cancer as well.
Prospects
Despite the side effects of using chemotherapy for brain cancer, research is showing promise in increased effectiveness and comfort of the patient. For instance, newer drugs are being developed that decrease the side effects that are common with current drugs. Additionally, scientists have identified genetic aspects of some cancers that make the cancer susceptible to the chemotherapy --- if doctors can figure out manipulate these genetic aspects, then the cancer might be made more treatable.
Tags: brain cancer, brain cancer, chemotherapy brain, brain cancer, brain cancer treatment