Modern treatment and prevention of brain cancer

Malignant brain cancer is the result of abnormal cell division of various tissues( brain, lymphatic, meninges, glandular).Isolate a separate category of malignant neoplasms that appear in the brain in connection with the metastasis of a tumor of another organ. Is brain cancer treated? This question is difficult to answer, since the result always depends on many factors:

• general condition of the patient;
• early detection at an early stage;
• aggressiveness of growth of neoplasm;
• effectiveness of treatment methods;
• reactivity of the body.

Before treating brain cancer, find out which cells of the tissue began abnormal growth. Modern oncology classifies all brain tumors by pathogenesis:

• neuroectodermal( gliomas);
• shell-vascular( meningiomas);
• pituitary( benign).

Ways to treat brain cancer

Can brain cancer be cured by using complex measures? Since almost all methods do not eliminate the cause of malignant growth of cells, but only reduce the symptoms and prolong the life of the patient, it is impossible to talk about a 100% cure. Patients with malignant tumors show the following treatment methods:

• surgical;
• radiotherapy;
• chemotherapy;
• symptomatic treatment.

Symptomatic treatment consists in the appointment of glucocorticoids( Prednisolone) to eliminate cerebral edema. To prevent vomiting and nausea during aggressive anticancer therapy, patients are prescribed antiemetics( Metoclopramide).

Sedation medications are prescribed to reduce psychomotor agitation( Sedasen).When a painful syndrome occurs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are shown( Ketorol, Ketalong).In the case of severe pain, narcotic analgesics( Morphine).To arrest epileptic seizures prescribe antiepileptic drugs.

Before curing a brain tumor surgically, the patient is referred to an oncology dispensary. Surface neoplasms are completely removed surgically. Some tumors( meningiomas) are able to germinate into bone tissue, therefore they are removed in part. In this case, the patient is additionally prescribed chemotherapy. With primary lymphoma, intravenous methotrexate and radiation therapy are indicated.

Surgical treatment is traumatic and in some cases impossible due to the condition of the patient or the localization of a cancerous tumor. Therefore, in most cases, patients are prescribed non-surgical methods of treatment - radiotherapy and drugs active against atypical cells. The volume of radiation is determined for each patient individually. This avoids negative consequences. Before carrying out chemotherapy, conduct studies on the sensitivity to the drug. The most effective drugs are:

• antimetabolites;
• antiplastic agents;
• means an alkylating group.

Chemotherapy is prescribed by the courses. During the test, the exact dosage is determined. All the time the patient is treated with blood tests. By results of analyzes and a condition of the patient the chemotherapy is corrected or completely stopped.

The effectiveness of brain cancer treatment

The most common malignant tumors are gliomas that arise from brain tissue cells. Is it possible to cure such a brain cancer? Most pathology is difficult to treat because of infiltrating growth. In this regard, there are frequent relapses after surgery.

One of the most aggressive cancers is glioblastoma. The disease occurs in the elderly and progresses very quickly, reaching a large size. For today there are no methods of its treatment. Patients die within a few months. Even after an operative intervention with a radical removal, patients die within a year, as relapses occur.

Children in the cerebellum may have meduloblastoma. Neoplasm is characterized by rapid growth, the ability to germinate into the subarachnoid space. After the onset of cancer, life expectancy rarely reaches half a year. Operative intervention and radiotherapy prolongs life for another six months. In adults, medulloblastoma grows more slowly. Irradiation and surgery can prolong the life of the patient for several years.

Drugs for brain cancer are selected according to a special scheme: Procarbazine, Vincristine, Temozolomide. If the tumor recurs, the tumor can be repeatedly removed and the course of chemotherapy prolonged. All components of therapy( neoplasm removal, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and symptomatic treatment) can extend life to a maximum of 3 years. With glioblastomas, chemotherapy is ineffective. With malignant cancer of the 4th degree, radiation therapy can prolong life by more than 5 years. Chemotherapy for meningiomas is not currently applied.

Recently widely used radiosurgical methods, which are an alternative to a surgical operation. Without surgery, anesthesia, trepanation of the skull and interference in the brain structures, the radiosurgical device "Gamma Knife" is used. Due to directional radioactive radiation, the device stops the growth of atypical cells and destroys the tumor. The operation can take from 20 minutes to 4 hours.

Prevention of brain cancer

Unfortunately, there is no specific prevention that could completely prevent atypical cell growth. Prevention of brain cancer is the observance of sleep and rest, exclusion of stressful situations, smoking. Positive effects on the brain tissue have walks in the fresh air, physical activity.

It has been established that antioxidants and some microelements have an anti-carcinogenic effect and prevent the growth of cancer cells. It is recommended to take multivitamin complexes, which contain selenium, vitamins A, C, E. It is useful to include vegetable juices and fruits in the daily menu.

It should be noted that when neurologic symptoms occur, it is necessary to consult a specialist, since they treat brain cancer in oncology clinics. Do not risk your life and go to folk healers for help. In malignant tumors of the brain, precious time can not be lost, since timely qualified treatment can prolong or even save life.