RADIATION THERAPY FOR BRAIN TUMORS
Understanding Your Treatment Options

Facts about Brain Tumors

More than 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor this year according to the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States.

This year, an estimated nearly 200,000 Americans will be diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor that has spread from somewhere else in the body.

Signs of Brain Tumors

Brain tumors cannot be detected a blood test or other screening exam. Symptoms may include:

• Seizures
• Headaches
• Nausea/vomiting
• Mood or personality changes
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Loss of memory
• Changes in vision, hearing or sensation
• Speech difficulties
• Lack of coordination

Diagnosing Brain Tumors

The following tests may be administered by your doctor if initial signs of a brain tumor are present:

• A physical exam to find out your overall health.
• A neurologic exam that evaluates brain and spinal cord function.
• CT, MRI or PET scans to look for signs of a brain tumor.

Tissue may be taken from the tumor to make an exact diagnosis if studies or scans indicate you might have a brain tumor. This test is known as a biopsy.

A needle may be placed in the lower back to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid is then examined for tumor cells. This is known as a spinal tap.

Treating Brain Tumors

If a tumor is diagnosed, the treatment options and prognosis are based on the following factors:

• Tumor type, size and location.
• Your age, general health and medical history.
• Tumor grade (how abnormal the cells are).

Understanding Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, is the directed use of radiation to safely and effectively treat various types of tumors.

Radiation oncologists are physicians that use radiation therapy to try to kill tumors, control growth of the tumor growth or to relieve symptoms.

Radiation therapy damages tumor cells’ ability to multiply. The body naturally eliminates these cells after they die.

Radiation may not affect the healthy cells near the tumor, but if they are affected, they can repair themselves in a way tumor cells cannot.

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