Surgery

In most brain tumor cases, surgery is performed to remove as much of the tumor as possible while protecting the important parts of the brain. Sometimes, this is only to get tissue for a diagnosis, especially if the tumor is in a sensitive area of the brain. If the team concludes that surgery isn’t possible, radiation therapy or another type of treatment may be prescribed.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy, which is also called radiotherapy, uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Before you undergo radiation, a radiation oncologist and physicist plan the precise delivery of the radiation to minimize radiation to surrounding brain and spinal tissue and maximize the radiation to the affected area.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. Chemotherapy may be recommended to kill any remaining cancer cells following surgery, or to control cancer growth and relieve symptoms. Most chemotherapy drugs are given intravenously or by catheter.

Clinical Trials and Research

In addition to using the most advanced methods of diagnosis and treatment, the Brown Cancer Center is constantly examining new approaches to cancer treatment. Brown Cancer Center physicians participate in and initiate a wide range of ongoing clinical trials and research, giving you access to new therapies that may not yet be available in other parts of the world.

Contact

If you have general questions about your condition, the Brown Cancer Center, or free services available to you and your loved ones, please contact the M. Krista Loyd Resource Center at 502-562-4158 or 866-530-5516.