Brain cancer treatment at GenesisCare

Your doctor will discuss your specific symptoms with you. Tests to diagnose brain cancer include:1,4

A neurological examination – this may include checking your vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength, and reflexes. Difficulty in one or more areas may provide insight into the part of the brain affected by a tumour.

CT scan – takes three-dimensional pictures of blood flow in the brain in areas with higher blood flow, such as a tumour, will be brighter on the scan.

MRI scan – provides high resolution cross-sectional images of the brain and spinal cord.

MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) – measures the chemical differences within tissues.

PET scan – produces three-dimensional colour images that show where any cancers are in the body.

Lumbar puncture – this test is occasionally necessary. A needle is used to collect cerebrospinal fluid which is then examined for the presence of cancerous cells.

Biopsy – depending on the position of the tumour, for more definitive diagnosis of the type of tumour, a biopsy will be undertaken. This may be done separate to, or at the same time as surgery to remove the tumour.

Radiation therapy

Radiation is most often used after surgery for brain tumours. It can also be used as an alternative to surgery if tumours are inoperable due to location or a patient is not well enough to undergo surgery.

Radiation is aimed at shrinking or producing local destruction within tumours. With careful planning and advancements in technology, the ability to minimize side effects and damage to surrounding normal tissues is greatly improved.
At GenesisCare we are able to offer the latest-generation stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) including systems to improve image-guided radiation therapy, and surface-guided radiation therapy technologies.

SRS is a highly focused, non-surgical brain radiation therapy often used to treat smaller tumours within the brain. It delivers high doses of precisely targeted radiation therapy whilst minimising dose to surrounding normal tissues.⁵ SRS can be delivered on a linear accelerator (radiation therapy machine) or using a Gamma Knife

Your doctor can advise which is most suitable for you.
Chemotherapy may be delivered alongside your radiation therapy to enhance the effect of radiation.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer by disrupting the cell cycle. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.

Chemotherapy, targeted drug therapies and immunotherapies are all called systemic therapies. These drug therapies can be used to enhance the effect of radiation. They are also used in the case of metastatic disease, to limit further spread.

Radiation therapy

General side effects:6

• Fatigue/ lethargy which typically improves within a few weeks
• Nausea/ vomiting
• Headaches
• Alopecia/ hair loss
• Skin irritation

Your doctor may discuss specific side effects depending on where radiation is aimed.

Specific side effects (depending on the area being treated):

• Hair loss in the treatment area
• Headaches
• Skin changes around the area being treated
• Possible hearing changes
• Digestive issues – reduced appetite, pain, discomfort, or bloating
• Nausea or vomiting.

Most of these side effects will ease shortly after treatment is finished. Your team will discuss any long-term considerations with you depending on the tumour type.

Chemotherapy

Side effects⁷

Whether you experience side effects and how severe they are, depends on the type and dose of drugs you are given and your reaction from one treatment cycle to the next.

• Most side-effects are short-term and can be managed.
• They tend to gradually improve once treatment stops and the normal, healthy cells recover.

You may worry about the side effects of chemotherapy. If you feel upset or anxious about how long treatment is taking or the impact of side effects, let your doctor or nurse know.