Treatment for brain tumors
Specific treatment for brain tumors will be determined by your child's physician based on:
- Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- Type, location, and size of the tumor
- Extent of the disease
- Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- Expectations for the course of the disease
- Your opinion or preference
Treatment may include (alone or in combination):
- Surgery. Surgery is usually the first step in the treatment of brain tumors. The goal is to remove as much of the tumor as possible while maintaining neurological function. Surgery for a biopsy is also done to examine the types of cells the tumor is made of for a diagnosis. This is frequently done if the tumor is in an area with sensitive structures around it that may be injured during removal.
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Steroids (to treat and prevent swelling especially in the brain)
- Anti-seizure medication (to treat and prevent seizures associated with intracranial pressure)
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (also called a VP shunt). A VP shunt may be placed in the head to drain excess fluid from inside the brain. A VP shunt helps control the pressure inside the brain.
- Lumbar puncture/spinal tap (to test pressure in the central nervous system, to look for suspicious cells, and give medication if needed)
- Bone marrow transplantation
- Supportive care (for the side effects of the tumor or treatment)
- Rehabilitation (to regain lost motor skills and muscle strength; speech, physical, and occupational therapists may be involved in the healthcare team)
- Antibiotics (to treat and prevent infections)
- Continuous follow-up care (to manage disease, detect recurrence of the tumor and to manage late effects of treatment)
Long-term outlook for a child with a brain tumor
Prognosis greatly depends on:
- The type of tumor
- The extent of the disease
- Size and location of the tumor
- Presence or absence of metastasis
- The tumor's response to therapy.the age and overall health of your child
- Your child's tolerance of specific medications, procedures, or therapies new developments in treatment
As with any cancer, prognosis and long-term survival can vary greatly from individual to individual. Prompt medical attention and aggressive therapy are important for the best prognosis. Continuous follow-up care is essential for a child diagnosed with a brain tumor. Side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, as well as second malignancies, can occur in survivors of brain tumors.
Rehabilitation for lost motor skill and muscle strength may be required for an extended amount of time. Speech therapists and physical and occupational therapists may be involved in some form of rehabilitation. More research is needed to improve treatment, decrease side effects of the treatment for this disease, and develop a cure. New methods are continually being discovered to improve treatment and to decrease side effects.