Cancer Brain

More than 17 000 people in the United States each year are diagnosed with a brain tumor. Some tumors are benign (noncancerous) and they can usually be removed and are not likely to recur. Others are malignant (cancerous); they interfere with vital functions and are life-threatening. Malignant brain tumors usually grow rapidly crowding and invading tissue.

Primary brain tumors are cancers that arise in the brain and affect the central nervous system (CNS). Secondary brain tumors which are 10 times more common are cancers that originated elsewhere in the body and have metastasized (spread) to the brain.

Signs and Symptoms

A brain tumor can be accompanied by the following signs and symptoms.

• Headaches that often are worse in the morning
• Seizures (convulsions)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weakness or loss of feeling in the arms or legs
• Stumbling or lack of coordination when walking
• Abnormal eye movements or changes in vision
• Drowsiness
• Changes in personality or memory
• Changes in speech

Who's Most At Risk?

People with the following conditions or characteristics may be at risk for developing a brain tumor.

• Radiation exposure
• Increased age
• Exposure to pesticides herbicides fertilizer
• Certain occupations such as lead petroleum plastic rubber and textile workers as well as aircraft and vehicle operators
• Exposure to electromagnetic fields
• Certain viruses especially Epstein-Barr virus
• People who have had transplants and individuals with AIDS

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with a brain tumor you should see your health care provider immediately. Your provider will ask about your personal and family medical history and will perform a complete physical and neurologic exam. This includes checks for alertness muscle strength coordination reflexes and response to pain and an eye exam to look for swelling caused by a tumor pressing on the nerve that connects the eye and the brain. The provider may send you for a computed tomography (CT) scan and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Additional tests may include skull X ray brain scan angiogram or arteriogram and a myelogram (X ray of the spine using dye). If cancer is present others who may become involved in your care include a neurosurgeon medical oncologist radiation oncologist nurse dietitian social worker physical therapist occupational therapist and speech therapist.

Treatment Options

Treatment Plan

Treatment for a brain tumor depends on the type location and size of the tumor as well as the person's age and general health. Treatment generally involves surgery radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.

Drug Therapies

Your provider may prescribe the following therapies.

• Steroids to relieve swelling
• Anticonvulsants to prevent or control seizures
• Radiation therapy to destroy tumor tissue that cannot be removed with surgery or to kill cancer cells that may remain after surgery or when surgery is not possible
• Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells

Surgical and Other Procedures

Surgery is the most common treatment. To remove a brain tumor a neurosurgeon performs a craniotomy which involves making an opening in the skull. If the tumor cannot be at least partially removed the surgeon may do only a biopsy in which a small piece of the tumor is removed so that a pathologist can examine it under a microscope to determine the type of cancer cells. This necessary information helps determinine other forms of treatment.

Another procedure sometimes used is insertion of a shunt to drain cerebrospinal fluid. A shunt is a long thin tube placed in the brain and then threaded under the skin to another part of the body usually the abdomen. It works like a drainpipe allowing excess fluid to be carried away from the brain and absorbed in the abdomen.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

A comprehensive treatment plan for brain cancer may include a range of complementary and alternative therapies. Nutrients and herbs may protect against side effects from conventional therapies as well as enhance chemotherapy and support anticancer activities. Mind-body therapies such as meditation relaxation techniques yoga and qi gong may reduce the effects of stress and enhance your quality of life and your response to treatment. Ask your team of health care providers about the best ways to incorporate these therapies into your overall treatment plan.

Nutrition

Eat only organically-raised foods. Include sea vegetables garlic onions green tea whole grains fresh vegetables (especially dark green yellow and orange vegetables) legumes protein and anti-inflammatory oils (i.e. nuts seeds and cold-water fish) in your diet. Eliminate processed meats refined foods additives sugar artificial foods alcohol caffeine saturated fats and nitrosamines

Potentially beneficial nutrient supplements include the following.

• Vitamin E (400 to 800 IU per day) vitamin C (1 000 mg four times per day) selenium (200 mcg twice per day) coenzyme Q10 (100 mg three times per day) and vitamin A (25 000 IU twice per day)
• Glutathione 500 mg twice per day
• Melatonin (20 mg four times per day)
• Methionine (100 mg three times a day) zinc (20 mg per day) vitamin C and selenium
• Shark and bovine cartilage (controversial)

Herbs

Herbs are generally available as dried extracts (pills capsules or tablets) teas or tinctures (alcohol extraction unless otherwise noted). Dose for teas is 1 heaping tsp. per cup of water steeped for 10 minutes (roots need 20 minutes).

• Garlic (Allium sativum): Drink ginger (Zingiber officinale) and garlic tea two to three cups daily.
• Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna): 200 mg two times per day and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) 120 mg two times per day
• Commercial Hoxsey-like formulas or trifolium compounds: 60 drops two to three times per day to tid for six months or longer
• Essiac or Flor-Essence: one cup tea twice a day or 2 tbs. formula twice a day for six months
• Mistletoe (Viscum album): 60 drops tincture three times per day or 250 mg capsules three times per day
• Combine essential oils of bergamot (Citrus bergamia) chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) in aromatherapy applications. Place several drops in a warm bath or four to six drops in 1 tbs. of vegetable oil for massage.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy may help relieve symptoms and strengthen overall well-being.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may help strengthen your immune system and enhance your overall well-being.

Prognosis/Possible Complications

The outlook varies greatly depending on the type of tumor and a variety of other factors. Some types of brain cancer have a five-year survival rate above 80 percent. Brain cancer has significant emotional and psychological effects. Patients who receive radiation therapy to large areas of the brain or certain anticancer drugs may have a higher risk of developing leukemia or a second tumor at a later time. Radiation that affects the eyes may lead to the later development of cataracts.

Following Up

Regular follow-up is very important after treatment to make sure the tumor has not returned. Checkups usually include physical and neurologic exams and occasional CT scans or MRIs.

Supporting Research

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Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine Communications

The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application use or misuse of any of the information contained herein including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability negligence or otherwise. No warranty expressed or implied is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor pharmacist nurse or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage precautions warnings interactions and contraindications before administering any drug herb or supplement discussed herein.