Thanks to research and innovation over the years, there are multiple options for brain cancer treatment available, especially metastatic cancer. Whether you have been recently diagnosed with brain cancer or you are learning more on behalf of a loved one, the following information will help you understand the different treatment options available and why a neurosurgeon may suggest one over another.
Keep in mind that the approach your doctor suggests to you will be different from the next person’s. Metastatic brain cancers are highly variable, and your doctor will consider many factors before deciding which method to recommend – however, you can expect your treatment to include either (or a combination of) Gamma Knife radiosurgery, whole brain radiation or traditional open surgery.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
Though it sounds like a surgical procedure, Gamma Knife radiosurgery is actually a special type of radiation therapy that is coming more and more into use for brain cancer treatment. In fact, it has become the treatment of choice by some doctors for treating certain patients.
When a doctor uses radiation to treat a tumor, the radiation damages the cancer cells and the tumor is destroyed. Gamma Knife radiosurgery uses a directed beam of radiation to target just the tumor, with the goal of sparing the healthy brain tissue surrounding the cancer. The doctor can approach the tumor from different perspectives by changing the direction and angle of the beam, and treatment is delivered during a single session.
A benefit of Gamma Knife radiosurgery, when compared to traditional radiation therapy, is that the targeted approach reduces damage to the normal cells around the tumor, resulting in fewer side effects. Patients who undergo gamma knife radiosurgery typically experience less nausea and hair loss, and fewer headaches and other unpleasant repercussions of radiation therapy.
Many doctors now prefer Gamma Knife radiosurgery for metastatic brain cancer treatment in patients with amenable tumors. You may be a candidate for Gamma Knife radiosurgery if:
- Your tumor is small and easy to target
- Your diagnosis is known and a biopsy is not required
- You are not a candidate for traditional surgery
- Your tumor is in a location that is difficult to reach with surgery
Whole Brain Radiation
In contrast to Gamma Knife radiosurgery, whole brain radiation is low-dose radiation delivered to the entire brain over multiple sessions, shrinking the tumor over time. Whole brain radiation has long been considered the gold-standard brain cancer treatment because of its effectiveness.
Though many doctors are using Gamma Knife radiosurgery, some tumors are not easy to target and benefit from whole brain radiation instead. Your doctor may also recommend radiation therapy, in conjunction with surgery, to ensure all the cancer cells have been eradicated.
Open Surgery
If your tumor is large, your doctor will likely recommend open surgery to remove as much as he can, followed by radiation therapy. Again, radiation therapy is necessary following surgery to prevent any remaining cancer cells from growing into a new tumor.
Your doctor may also recommend surgery if your brain cancer diagnosis is unknown and a biopsy is necessary. Some cancers arise directly from cells in the brain, while others spread from another area in the body. It is important for the doctor to understand your tumor so he can develop the most appropriate plan for your brain cancer treatment.
When a surgeon takes a biopsy, he takes a sample of your tumor and sends it to a specialist, known as a pathologist. The pathologist looks at the biopsy sample under a microscope and writes a report for the surgeon, describing the characteristics of the tumor. This report helps your doctor decide on a course of action.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to target the cancer cells, which can be very effective in the body. However, chemotherapy is not an option for all brain cancer treatment.
One of the body’s natural defenses is known as the blood-brain barrier, which prevents some substances from reaching the brain. In primary brain tumors, such as gliomas, chemotherapy can be used as a primary treatment because the drugs for that specific type of tumor are designed to penetrate into the brain.
However, many chemotherapy and immunotherapy drugs for lung cancer, breast cancer, etc., do not effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier – therefore reduce their effectiveness for metastatic tumors.
What Is the Best Brain Cancer Treatment?
It’s important to appreciate that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to metastatic brain cancer treatment. Each patient has different needs and circumstances, and you are no exception. As your doctor develops your treatment plan, he will take into consideration your diagnosis, tumor size and location, overall health condition and any medications you are taking.
It’s fantastic that you are interested in learning about your condition and treatment options. It is important that you are comfortable with your upcoming procedure, and self-education is an excellent way to help set your mind at ease about your brain cancer treatment.
At this point, if you find that you have new or unanswered questions, be sure to bring them up with your doctor. Because you have taken the time to educate yourself about brain cancer treatment methods, chances are you will have an even deeper understanding during your next conversation regarding your treatment plan.
