What are steroids, and how are they used?
Dexamethasone (trade name Decadron) is a steroid drug frequently administered to brain tumor patients to reduce the swelling and “tightness” caused by their tumors. This steroid is an extremely effective medicine to treat symptoms of swelling associated with a brain stem glioma, particularly following radiotherapy. However, dexamethasone has a number of side effects that include mood changes, increased appetite and weight gain, fluid retention, blood sugar instability, high blood pressure and increased susceptibility to infection. If you have been taking dexamethasone for more than a week or two, treatment must not be stopped suddenly. The dose must be gradually decreased, so that the body can readjust and resume its own normal production of steroids. If you are receiving dexamethasone, you should be given a schedule for decreasing the medication. Adapted from Foer, DR and Fisher PG For an appointment, a second opinion or more information, please call 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771) or
