Chemotherapy for Brain Cancer

Chemotherapy (also called chemo) is the use of chemicals to stop the progression of cancer and to kill the cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken orally with a pill, intravenously through the vein, injected into the cerebrospinal fluid, or through a wafer which is surgically implanted into the brain. The method of chemotherapy depends on many factors: the type of brain tumor (benign or malignant), the grade of the tumor (how advanced the tumor is), whether the cancer began in the brain (primary or metastatic brain tumor), and the risks and possible side effects of treatment. Chemotherapy may also be used in combination with other types of treatment such as surgery and radiation therapy.

Unfortunately, chemotherapy drugs do not know the difference between good cells and cancer cells, so good cells are killed in the process. For this reason, a thorough assessment prior to starting treatment is very important. Every person is different, so each patient needs to be looked at individually. You will be evaluated by our team of specialists and they will work with you to devise the best possible treatment plan for you.

While taking chemotherapy, you may suffer from such side effects as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite and hair loss. We can prescribe medications to help alleviate some of those symptoms and to help manage them.

This can be a scary and emotional time for you, but our health care team, working closely with other members of the care team, are dedicated to providing a comfortable setting during this difficult time.

Chemotherapy Team: