Information about Brain Tumors
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. We cannot assume responsibility for its accuracy. Please, obtain information about your condition from your Doctor. The Brad Kaminsky Foundation does not endorse any service, treatment, institution or physician
Clinical Trials
Researchers are looking for treatment methods that are more effective
against brain tumors and have fewer side effects. When laboratory
research shows that a new method has promise, doctors use it to treat
cancer patients in clinical trials. These trials are designed to answer
scientific questions and to find out whether the new approach is both
safe and effective. Patients who take part in clinical trials make an
important contribution to medical science and may have the first
chance to benefit from improved treatment methods. Many clinical trials
of new treatments for brain tumors are under way. Doctors are
studying new types and schedules of radiation therapy, new anticancer
drugs, new drug combinations, and combinations of chemotherapy
and radiation. Scientists are trying to increase the effectiveness of
radiation therapy by giving treatments twice a day instead of once.
Also, they are studying drugs called radiosensitizers. These drugs
make the cancer cells more sensitive to radiation. Another method
under study is hyperthermia, in which the tumor is heated to increase
the effect of radiation therapy. Many drugs cannot reach brain cells
because of the blood-brain barrier, a network of blood vessels and
cells that filters blood going to the brain. Researchers continue to look
for new drugs that will pass through the blood-brain barrier. Studies
are under way using different techniques to temporarily disrupt the
barrier so that drugs can reach the tumor. In other studies, scientists
are exploring new ways to give the drugs. Drugs may be injected into
an artery leading to the brain or may be put directly into the ventricles.
Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of placing tiny wafers
containing anticancer drugs directly into the tumor. (The wafers
dissolve over time.) Researchers are also testing the use of very high
doses of anticancer drugs. Because these higher doses may damage
healthy bone marrow, doctors combine this treatment with bone
marrow transplantation to replace the marrow that has been destroyed.
Biological therapy is a new way of treating brain tumors that is
currently under study. This type of treatment is an attempt to improve
the way the body's immune system fights disease. Patients interested
in taking part in a clinical trial should discuss this option with their
doctor. They may want to read Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What
Cancer Patients Need To Know an NCI booklet that explains some of
the possible benefits and risks of treatment studies. One way to learn
about clinical trials is through PDQ, a computerized resource
developed by the National Cancer Institute. This resource contains
information about cancer treatment and about clinical trials in progress
all over the country. The Cancer Information Service can provide PDQ
information to patients and the public Side Effects of Treatment Cancer
treatment often causes side effects. These side effects occur because
treatment to destroy cancer cells damages some healthy cells as well.
The side effects of cancer treatment vary. They depend on the type of
treatment used and on the area being treated. Also, each person
reacts differently. Doctors try to plan the patient's therapy to keep side
effects to a minimum. They also watch patients very carefully so they
can help with any problems that occur. A craniotomy is a major
operation. The surgery may damage normal brain tissue, and edema
may occur. Weakness, coordination problems, personality changes,
and difficulty in speaking and thinking may result. Patients may also
have seizures. In fact, for a short time after surgery, symptoms may be
worse than before. Most of the side effects of surgery lessen or
disappear with time. Most of the side effects of radiation therapy go
away soon after treatment is over. However, some side effects may
occur or persist long after treatment is complete. Some patients have
nausea for several hours after treatment. Patients receiving radiation
therapy may become very tired as treatment continues. Resting is
important, but doctors usually advise their patients to try to stay
reasonably active. Radiation therapy to the scalp causes most patients
to lose their hair. When it grows back, the new hair is sometimes softer
and may be a slightly different color. In some cases, hair loss is
permanent. Skin reactions in the treated area are common. The scalp
and ears may be red, itchy, or dark; these areas may look and feel
sunburned. The treated area should be exposed to the air as much as
possible but should be protected from the sun. Patients should not
wear anything on the head that might cause irritation.
Good skin care
is important at this time. The doctor may suggest certain kinds of soap
or ointment, and patients should not use any other lotions or creams
on the scalp without the doctor's advice. Sometimes brain cells killed
by radiation form a mass in the brain. The mass may look like a tumor
and may cause similar symptoms, such as headaches, memory loss,
or seizures. Doctors may suggest surgery or steroids to relieve these
problems. About 4 to 8 weeks after radiation therapy, patients may
become quite sleepy or lose their appetite. These symptoms may last
several weeks, but they usually go away on their own. Still, patients
should notify the doctor if they occur. Children who have had radiation
therapy for a brain tumor may have learning problems or partial loss of
eyesight. If the pituitary gland is damaged, children may not grow or
develop normally. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the
drugs that are given. In general, anticancer drugs affect rapidly
growing cells, such as blood cells that fight infection, cells that line the
digestive tract, and cells in hair follicles. As a result, patients may have
a lower resistance to infection, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or
mouth sores. Patients may also have less energy and may lose their
hair. These side effects usually go away gradually after treatment
stops. Some anticancer drugs can cause infertility.
Women taking
certain anticancer drugs may have symptoms of menopause (hot
flashes and vaginal dryness; periods may be irregular or stop). Some
drugs used to treat children and teenagers may affect their ability to
have children later in life. Certain drugs used in the treatment of brain
tumors may cause kidney damage. Patients are given large amounts of
fluid while taking these drugs. Patients may also have tingling in the
fingers, ringing in the ears, or difficulty hearing. These problems may
not clear up after treatment stops. Treatment with steroids to reduce
swelling in the brain may cause increased appetite and weight gain.
Swelling of the face and feet is common. Steroids can also cause
restlessness, mood swings, burning indigestion, and acne. However,
patients should not stop using steroids or change their dose without
consulting the doctor. The use of steroids must be stopped gradually
to allow the body to adjust to the change. Loss of appetite can be a
problem for patients during therapy. People may not feel hungry when
they are uncomfortable or tired. Some of the common side effects of
cancer treatment, such as nausea and vomiting, can also make it hard
to eat. Yet good nutrition is important because patients who eat well
generally feel better and have more energy. Eating well means getting
enough calories and protein to help prevent weight loss, regain
strength, and rebuild normal tissues. Many patients find that eating
several small meals and snacks during the day works better than trying
to have three large meals. Patients being treated for a brain tumor may
develop a blood clot and inflammation in a vein, most often in the leg.
This is called thrombophlebitis. A patient who notices swelling in the
leg, leg pain, and/or redness in the leg should notify the doctor right
away. Doctors, nurses, and dietitians can explain the side effects of
cancer treatment and can suggest ways to deal with them.
In addition,
the NCI booklets Radiation Therapy and You, Chemotherapy and You,
and Eating Hints for Cancer Patients contain helpful information about
cancer treatment and coping with side effects. Young People With
Cancer: A Handbook for Parents provides information to help children
handle the side effects of treatment. Disclaimer: This information is for
educational purposes only. We cannot assume responsibility for its
accuracy. Please, obtain information about your condition from your
Doctor. The Brad Kaminsky Foundation does not endorse any service,
treatment, institution or physician. Clinical Trials For a list of current
clinical trials, visit Al Musella's website ' Mr. Musella is another amazing
crusader in this war against brain tumors.
(Updated 08/30/01) --
Clinical trials are research studies in which people help doctors find
ways to improve health and cancer care. Each study tries to answer
scientific questions and to find better ways to prevent, diagnose, or
treat cancer. A clinical trial is one of the final stages of a long and
careful cancer research process. Studies are done with cancer patients
to find out whether promising approaches to cancer prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment are safe and effective. What are the different
types of clinical trials? Treatment trials test new treatments (like a new
cancer drug, new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy, new
combinations of treatments, or new methods such as gene therapy).
See Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need to Know.
Prevention trials test new approaches, such as medicines, vitamins,
minerals, or other supplements that doctors believe may lower the risk
of a certain type of cancer. These trials look for the best way to prevent
cancer in people who have never had cancer or to prevent cancer from
coming back or a new cancer occuring in people who have already had
cancer. See Understanding Prevention Trials for additional information.
Screening trials test the best way to find cancer, especially in its early
stages. See Understanding Screening Trials for additional information.
Quality of Life trials (also called Supportive Care trials) explore ways to
improve comfort and quality of life for cancer patients. See
Understanding Supportive Care Trials for additional information. What
are the phases of clinical trials? Most clinical research that involves the
testing of a new drug progresses in an orderly series of steps, called
phases. This allows researchers to ask and answer questions in a way
that results in reliable information about the drug and protects the
patients. Clinical trials are usually classified into one of three phases:
Phase I trials:
Phase II trials:
Phase III trials:
These first studies in people evaluate how a new drug
should be given (by mouth, injected into the blood, or injected into the
muscle), how often, and what dose is safe. A Phase I trial usually
enrolls only a small number of patients, sometimes as few as a dozen.
A phase II trial continues to test the safety of the drug,
and begins to evaluate how well the new drug works. Phase II studies
usually focus on a particular type of cancer.
These studies test a new drug, a new combination of drugs, or a new surgical
procedure in comparison to the current standard. A participant will
usually be assigned to the standard group or the new group at random
(called randomization). Phase III trials often enroll large numbers of
people and may be conducted at many doctors' offices, clinics, and
cancer centers nationwide. Disclaimer: This information is for
educational purposes only. We cannot assume responsibility for its
accuracy. Please, obtain information about your condition from your
Doctor. The Brad Kaminsky Foundation does not endorse any service,
treatment, institution or physician.
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