What are the treatments for brain tumors?
A. The doctor develops a treatment plan to fit each patient, depending on the patient’s age and general health and the type, location and size of the tumor. Brain tumors are treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Before treatment most patients are given steroids to reduce swelling. They may also be given anticonvulsant medications to prevent seizures. § Surgery is the usual treatment for most brain tumors. To remove the tumor, the neurosurgeon makes an opening in the skull. This is called a craniotomy. Whenever possible, the surgeon removes all of the brain tumor, but sometimes only part can be removed if removing would cause damage to vital brain tissue. Some tumors cannot be removed, and a biopsy is done to help decide treatment. Sometimes the biopsy can be done with a CT scan or MRI to pinpoint the tumor’s exact location, and only a small hole is needed in the skull. This is called stereotaxis. § Radiation therapy uses high-powered rays to damage cancer cells and
