Brain & Spinal Cord Cancers: Treatment
No two tumors are alike. That being said, numerous factors can determine outcomes, including genetics, location of the tumor, age and cognition, and a patient’s general health.  Since no two people have the same physical makeup, all of these factors play an important role in the treatment and outcomes for tumor patients.

Treatment for central nervous system cancers includes:

• Surgery: New surgical techniques and tools allow for the precise and safe removal of tumors from many parts of the brain. Surgery may be followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy.
  
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill or shrink cancer cells. The radiation may come from outside of the body (external radiation) or from radioactive materials placed directly in the tumor (internal or implant radiation). Radiation therapy may be used to reduce the size of a cancer before surgery, to destroy any remaining cancer cells after surgery, or, in some cases, as the main treatment.
  
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy refers to the use of drugs whose main effect is either to kill or slow the growth of rapidly multiplying cells. Chemotherapy usually includes a combination of drugs. Some chemotherapy drugs are injected directly into the bloodstream while others can be taken by pill, at home.

These therapies may be delivered alone or in combination. For more detailed information on treatment therapies, including complementary and alternative therapies, please click on resources.