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
Follow up Care
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is a very important part of the treatment plan. The goals
of rehabilitation depend on the patient's needs and how the tumor has
affected his or her daily activities. The medical team makes every effort
to help patients return to their normal activities as soon as possible.
Patients and their families may need to work with an occupational
therapist to overcome any difficulty in activities of daily living, such as
eating, dressing, bathing, and using the toilet. If an arm or leg is weak
or paralyzed, or if a patient has problems with balance, physical
therapy may be necessary. Speech therapy may be helpful for
individuals having trouble speaking or expressing their thoughts.
Speech therapists also work with patients who are having difficulty
swallowing. If special arrangements are necessary for school-age
children, they should be made as soon as possible. Sometimes,
children have tutors in the hospital or after they go home from the
hospital. Children who have problems learning or remembering what
they learn may need tutors or special classes when they return to
school Followup Care Regular followup is very important after
treatment for a brain tumor. The doctor will check closely to make sure
that the tumor has not returned. Checkups usually include general
physical and neurologic exams. From time to time, the patient will have
CT scans or MRIs. Patients who receive radiation therapy to large
areas of the brain or certain anticancer drugs may have an increased
risk of developing leukemia or a second tumor at a later time. Also,
radiation that affects the eyes may lead to the development of
cataracts. Patients should carefully follow their doctor's advice on
health care and checkups. If any unusual health problem occurs, they
should report it to the doctor as soon as it appears
Living With a Brain Tumor
The diagnosis of a brain tumor can change the lives of patients
and the people who care about them. These changes can be hard to
handle. Patients and their families and friends may have many different
and sometimes confusing emotions. At times, patients and those close
to them may feel frightened, angry, or depressed. These are normal
reactions when people face a serious health problem. Most patients,
including children and teenagers, find it helps to share their thoughts
and feelings with loved ones. Sharing can help everyone feel more at
ease and can open the way for others to show their concern and offer
their support. Worries about tests, treatments, hospital stays,
rehabilitation, and medical bills are common. Parents may worry about
whether their children will be able to take part in normal school or
social activities. Doctors, nurses, social workers, and other members of
the health care team may be able to calm fears and ease confusion.
They can also provide information and suggest helpful resources.
Patients and their families are naturally concerned about what the
future holds. Sometimes they use statistics to try to figure out whether
the patient will be cured or how long he or she will live. It is important
to remember, however, that statistics are averages based on large
numbers of patients. They cannot be used to predict what will happen
to a certain patient because no two cancer patients are alike. The
doctor who takes care of the patient and knows that person's medical
history is in the best position to discuss the patient's outlook
(prognosis). People should feel free to ask the doctor about their
prognosis, but it is important to keep in mind that not even the doctor
can tell exactly what will happen. When doctors talk about recovering
from a brain tumor, they may use the term remission rather than cure.
Even though many people recover completely, doctors use this term
because a brain tumor can recur. Support for Cancer Patients Living
with a serious disease is not easy. Everyone involved faces many
problems and challenges. Finding the strength to cope with these
difficulties is easier when people have helpful information and support
services. The doctor can explain the disease and give advice about
treatment, going back to work or school, or other activities.
If patients
want to discuss concerns about the future, family relationships, and
finances, it may also help to talk with a nurse, social worker, counselor,
or clergy member. Friends and relatives who have had personal
experience with cancer can be very supportive. Also, it helps many
patients to meet and talk with other people who are facing problems
like theirs. Cancer patients often get together in self-help and support
groups, where they can share what they have learned about cancer
and its treatment and about coping with the disease. In addition to
groups for adults with cancer, special support groups for children or
teens with cancer or for parents whose children have cancer are
available in many cities. It's important to keep in mind, however, that
each patient is different. Treatments and ways of dealing with cancer
that work for one person may not be right for another--even if they both
have the same kind of cancer. It's always a good idea to discuss the
advice of friends and family members with the doctor. Often, a social
worker at the hospital or clinic can suggest local and national groups
that will help with rehabilitation, emotional support, financial aid,
transportation, or home care. Other Booklets Cancer patients, their
families and friends, and others may find the following booklets useful.
They are available free of charge from the National Cancer Institute.
You may request them by calling 1-800-4-CANCER.
Booklets About:
National Cancer Institute Information Resources
You may want more information for yourself, your family, and your health care
provider. The following National Cancer Institute (NCI) services are
available to help you.
Telephone Cancer Information Service (CIS)
Provides accurate, up-to-date information on cancer to patients and
their families, health professionals, and the general public. Information
specialists translate the latest scientific information into understandable
language and respond in English, Spanish, or on TTY equipment.
Toll-free: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
The Brad Kaminsky Foundation -
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(703) 729-9897 -
E-mail Lisa@tbkf.org