Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells and stop their reproduction.
If someone you know has a low-grade brain tumor, it is not best to use chemotherapy as the initial treatment. The drugs cannot go through the blood-brain barrier (a system whose purpose is to protect the brain from molecules that want to reach the nervous system).
The one thing about chemotherapy is that not all tumors respond to it.
Chemotherapy is usually the treatment that follows neurosurgery and radiation therapy. One important thing to know is that chemotherapy is not used for benign tumors. It is used on malignant and metastatic tumors only. These are tumors that can and will spread to other parts of the body.
There are many side effects to chemotherapy:
Now, how does it work. In the words of Cancer Treatment Centers of America:
“Chemotherapy drugs enter the bloodstream and reach areas throughout the body. Chemotherapy drugs may be administered orally in pill form, or injected into the vein. For some types of brain cancer, chemotherapy drugs may be given directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), either in the brain or spinal column.”
Cited
"Brain Cancer Chemotherapy." Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Rising Tide, n.d. Web. 8 Jun 2012. <http://www.cancercenter.com/brain-cancer/chemotherapy.cfm>
"Chemotherapy fro Brain Tumors." Virtual Trials. The Musella Foundation For Brain Tumor Research & Information, Inc, 17 Jun 2002. Web. 8 Jun 2012. <http://www.virtualtrials.com/levin1.cfm>
Simon, MD, Harvey. "Brain tumors - primary - Chemotherapy ." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 05 Dec 2008. Web. 8 Jun 2012. <http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/how_radiotherapy_used_treating_brain_tumors_000089_10.htm>
Swierzewski, III, M.D, Stanley J.. "Chemotherapy & Other Brain Cancer Treatments ." Remed'ys Health Communities. Remedy Health Media, LLC, 18 May 2011. Web. 8 Jun 2012. <http://www.healthcommunities.com/brain-cancer/chemotherapy.shtml>
If someone you know has a low-grade brain tumor, it is not best to use chemotherapy as the initial treatment. The drugs cannot go through the blood-brain barrier (a system whose purpose is to protect the brain from molecules that want to reach the nervous system).
The one thing about chemotherapy is that not all tumors respond to it.
Chemotherapy is usually the treatment that follows neurosurgery and radiation therapy. One important thing to know is that chemotherapy is not used for benign tumors. It is used on malignant and metastatic tumors only. These are tumors that can and will spread to other parts of the body.
There are many side effects to chemotherapy:
- Hair loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Risk of infection from low white blood cell counts
- Fatigue from low red blood cell counts
- Easy bruising and bleeding from low blood platelet counts
Now, how does it work. In the words of Cancer Treatment Centers of America:
“Chemotherapy drugs enter the bloodstream and reach areas throughout the body. Chemotherapy drugs may be administered orally in pill form, or injected into the vein. For some types of brain cancer, chemotherapy drugs may be given directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), either in the brain or spinal column.”
Cited
"Brain Cancer Chemotherapy." Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Rising Tide, n.d. Web. 8 Jun 2012. <http://www.cancercenter.com/brain-cancer/chemotherapy.cfm>
"Chemotherapy fro Brain Tumors." Virtual Trials. The Musella Foundation For Brain Tumor Research & Information, Inc, 17 Jun 2002. Web. 8 Jun 2012. <http://www.virtualtrials.com/levin1.cfm>
Simon, MD, Harvey. "Brain tumors - primary - Chemotherapy ." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 05 Dec 2008. Web. 8 Jun 2012. <http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/how_radiotherapy_used_treating_brain_tumors_000089_10.htm>
Swierzewski, III, M.D, Stanley J.. "Chemotherapy & Other Brain Cancer Treatments ." Remed'ys Health Communities. Remedy Health Media, LLC, 18 May 2011. Web. 8 Jun 2012. <http://www.healthcommunities.com/brain-cancer/chemotherapy.shtml>
