Secondary or metastatic brain tumors, is the one that started out as a cancer in other parts of the body. Some cancer cells may be carried to the brain by the blood or lymphatic fluid, or it may spread from adjacent networks. The site where the cancer cells are referred to as the primary cancer.
Metastatic brain tumors often is referred to as brain metastases or lesions. Metastatic brain tumors are the most common brain tumor. There has been an increase in metastatic lesions as a person who is still alive is the main cancer for a longer period of time.
Usually in the main cancer of the lung, breast, colon, kidney, or skin (melanoma), but can come in any part of the body. Most are located in the brain, but can also develop in the cerebellum or brainstem. More than half of people with metastatic tumors have multiple lesions.
Surgery and radiosurgery are treatment standard if the lesions are limited in number and can be accessed. Both of these treatments can be followed by the whole brain radiation therapy. In the case of some lesions can be given. Chemotherapy of tumor metastasis is specific to the brain can be used.
Before you have any medical treatment, your doctor will give you complete information about the purpose of the treatment and what it involves. They will usually ask you to sign a form saying that you give permission for the hospital staff to provide treatment. There is no treatment may be given without your consent.
Treatment can be provided for different reasons and potential benefits will vary for each person. When the drug is not possible and treatment is to control the cancer for a time period, it may be difficult to decide whether or not to proceed.
If you feel that you can't make a decision about the current treatment was first explained to you, you can always ask for more time to decide.
You are free to choose not to have the care and the staff can explain what might happen if you decide not to have it. You do not have to give reasons for not wanting to have the treatment, but it can help to let staff understand your concerns so that they can give the best advice.
Steroids are chemicals naturally produced in the body that regulate the workings of the body and help control. Steroids can be given as a tablet or by injections, and can reduce the swelling that often surrounds the secondary brain tumors. Although steroids don't treat the tumor itself, they can improve the symptoms and make you feel better. They can be used before, during or after radiotherapy or before or after surgery.
Radiotherapy is the use of high energy x-rays and similar light beam (such as electrons) to treat the disease. The bars are exempt from outside the body (external radiation therapy) is the most common treatment for secondary brain tumors. This is usually given as a series of short, daily treatments using the same equipment to large x-ray machine.
Side effects of radiotherapy to the head include hair loss, skin reactions, fatigue and feel sleepy. Your hair will usually grow back after treatment and other side effects should gradually increase.
In some cases, surgery may be used if the scan indicates that there is only one secondary tumors in the brain is and people (apart from the symptoms caused by pressure from the tumor) is generally quite good.
You will be referred to a neurosurgeon to see if surgery is suitable for you. After surgery, radiotherapy can be given to reduce the chance of the tumor returning. Surgery is usually not recommended when there are two or more secondaries brain, though it can be used to reduce the pressure in the head.
Some people with only one or two secondary tumors may have a stereotactic radiosurgery. This is a new technique that delivers high doses of radiation to the tumor is very inaccurate and causing damage to surrounding tissues less. One to three sessions of radiotherapy may be necessary. This treatment can also be used for a secondary tumor which continued after the previous radiotherapy to whole brain.
Stereotactic radiosurgery is available only in hospitals and specialists are not only suitable for some people. You can discuss with Your clinic Oncology is it right for you.
The idea of a secondary cancer that affects your brain can be quite daunting. You may have a lot of different emotions, including anger, hatred, guilt, anxiety and fear. This is a normal reaction to all, and is part of the process of passing a lot of people try to come to terms with their condition.
Everyone has their own way to cope with a difficult situation. Some people find it helpful to talk to family or friends, while others prefer to seek help from people outside their situation. Some people choose to keep their feelings to themselves. There is no right or wrong way to cope, but the help is there if you need it. Cancer support specialists can provide information about counseling in your area.