Nervous System Tumors

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Other Treatment
When brain tumors do not respond to surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, other treatments may be used. These treatments may include the following:

• Angiogenesis inhibitors (drugs that disrupt the tumor's blood vessels and cut off its supply of nutrients and oxygen)
  
  
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• Differentiating agents (drugs that convert dividing cancer cells into mature, nondividing cells and prevent tumor growth)
• Immunotherapy (used to boost the immune system to fight tumor cells more effectively)
• Gene therapy (using genes to change the function of tumor cells or the immune system)

Specific Treatments for Particular Types of Brain Tumors
Astrocytomas
There are three types of astrocytoma tumors: low-grade astrocytoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, and glioblastoma multiforme.

Oligodendrogliomas
Low-grade oligodendrogliomas (low-grade tumors) and oligoastrocytomas (tumors made up of a mix of oligodendroglioma cells and astrocytoma cells) are typically removed surgically, sometimes followed by radiation. The more aggressive anaplastic oligodendrogliomas are usually treated using chemotherapy, followed by radiation.

Treatment of Spinal Cord Tumors
Primary spinal cord tumors do not usually require radiation, unless they cannot be removed surgically. Metastatic spinal tumors, however, are normally treated using radiation as the primary therapy. Healthy spinal cord tissue is extremely sensitive to damage caused by

radiation, even more so than brain tissue and about half of all spinal cord tumors occur in the thoracic region, which is the most sensitive area.

Chemotherapy is sometimes used to treat spinal cord tumors, after surgery or radiation or when surgery or radiation are not recommended. Because spinal cord tumors can cause significant disability, rehabilitation and pain management are both an important part of treatment.

Follow-Up
Rehabilitation
Because of the effects of nervous system tumors or treatments, rehabilitation is often an important part of recovery. Occupational rehabilitation involves restoring the patient's normal daily functioning, from working with the hands to driving.

Self-help
An important part of living with and recovering from a nervous system tumor is emotional well-being. Many patients benefit from joining a support group and/or seeing a counselor or psychotherapist to deal with stress and emotional challenges. Maintaining a positive attitude, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet are important parts of feeling well.

Radiation Follow-Up
Because loss of pituitary function can be a long-term side effect of radiation therapy, endocrine evaluation may be an important part of follow-up care for patients who have received radiation. Neuropsychological testing may also be done to evaluate intellectual activity following brain tumor radiation.

Helpful Resources
A good resource for information and contacts about brain tumors is the Brain Tumor Society. This organization can provide information to patients and families about medical resources and emotional support. The telephone support line is 1.800.770.8287.

Nervous System Tumors Resources

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