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Brain tumours are complex, and dealing with them is a massive mental and emotional rollercoaster. While it’s easy to get caught up in the confusing medical jargon and the overwhelming number of brain-tumour medicines options out there, we’re here to break it down for you.

Whether you’re learning about brain tumour treatments for yourself or a loved one, this guide will take you through the basics of brain tumour medicines, from chemotherapy to targeted therapies. No fluff, just the essentials.

What Is a Brain Tumour?

Before we dive into the meds, let’s quickly go over what a brain tumour actually is. A brain tumour happens when abnormal cells start growing in your brain. These tumours can either be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The thing about brain tumours is that they don’t always follow the “rules.” They can grow pretty fast, push on important areas of the brain, and cause all kinds of symptoms like headaches, seizures, memory issues, and more.

But here’s the thing: treatments have come a long way, and more options than ever are available. If you’re looking for a medicine to help fight a brain tumour, here’s a breakdown of the options.

1. Chemotherapy: The OG Fighter

First up, chemotherapy. It’s one of the oldest and most commonly used treatments for brain tumours. It involves powerful drugs that target and kill cancerous cells.

Chemotherapy can be delivered either through an IV, by taking pills, or directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (the stuff that cushions your brain).

The downside? Chemotherapy doesn’t just target cancerous cells—it affects healthy cells too, which is why the side effects can be pretty intense. Think fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and a weakened immune system.

But even with these side effects, chemo remains one of the go-to treatments because it can shrink tumours and slow growth.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about side effects. There are ways to manage them, and your doctor can adjust your treatment plan if needed.

2. Targeted Therapy: A Precision Approach

Targeted therapy is one of the newer kids on the block and offers a more specific approach. Unlike chemotherapy, which attacks all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy focuses only on the cancer cells.

It works by targeting certain molecules in the tumour cells or the blood vessels that feed the tumour. The goal is to shut down those specific pathways that allow the tumour to grow and spread.

This treatment is more precise and often has fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy. Some people might experience mild symptoms like skin rashes or digestive issues, but overall, the side effects are typically more manageable.

There are different types of targeted therapies, and they depend on the type of tumour and its genetic makeup. So, make sure to have a detailed discussion with your oncologist about the right option for you.

3. Immunotherapy: Boosting Your Body’s Natural Defenses

Another breakthrough treatment is immunotherapy. This one’s like giving your body a little help in fighting off the tumour. Instead of directly attacking the tumour, immunotherapy helps boost your immune system’s natural ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

It works by either strengthening the immune response or giving it new tools to fight off the tumour.

For brain tumours, immunotherapy is still relatively new, but it’s showing a lot of promise, especially in treating certain types of glioblastomas (a type of aggressive brain cancer).

Immunotherapy can be done in different ways, like through checkpoint inhibitors or vaccines, but it’s often used alongside other treatments like surgery or radiation for the best effect.

Side note: Immunotherapy can come with some side effects, including inflammation in healthy tissues. This can lead to issues like skin reactions or flu-like symptoms, but it’s still an exciting area of research.

4. Radiation Therapy: Zapping the Tumour

Radiation therapy is another treatment that often gets used alongside medications to help shrink or control brain tumours. It involves using high-energy rays (think X-rays or protons) to target and destroy tumour cells.

Radiation doesn’t always work to cure brain tumours, but it can definitely shrink them and slow down their growth, especially when surgery isn’t an option.

The medicine side of radiation therapy usually comes into play when you need to take oral steroids or anti-seizure medications alongside it to help manage the side effects. While the radiation does its thing, these meds help control swelling in the brain and reduce the risk of seizures.

One of the newer, high-tech versions of radiation therapy is called stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). It’s a non-invasive treatment that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumour with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue.

It’s like a precision laser that zaps the tumour from different angles. Pretty cool, right?

5. Steroids: Helping the Brain Recover

Steroids are not a cure for brain tumours, but they can be really helpful when it comes to managing symptoms. They work by reducing inflammation and swelling in the brain, which can occur due to the tumour itself or because of the treatments like radiation.

By decreasing swelling, steroids can relieve symptoms like headaches, nausea, and blurry vision.

Common steroids used in brain tumour treatment include dexamethasone and prednisone. While they’re effective, they come with some potential side effects, like weight gain, increased blood sugar, and mood changes. But the benefits often outweigh the risks when used under medical supervision.

6. Experimental Drugs: The Cutting Edge

There’s a ton of exciting research going on in the world of brain tumour treatments, and some people have the chance to try out experimental drugs. These are often new medications or therapies that haven’t been fully approved yet but show a lot of potential in treating brain tumours.

If you’re in a situation where traditional treatments aren’t working, you might be eligible for a clinical trial to try these new meds.

Experimental brain-tumour medicines might include gene therapies, RNA-based therapies, or medications that target specific mutations in tumour cells. The great thing about these treatments is that they’re designed to be even more personalized to your tumour, which increases the chances of success.

Final Thoughts: Navigating Brain Tumour Medicines

At the end of the day, treatment for brain tumours isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s why it’s crucial to have open conversations with your healthcare team about all your options.

From chemotherapy and immunotherapy to experimental drugs, the world of brain tumour medicine is full of possibilities. The key is to stay informed, be open to different treatments, and lean on your support system as you navigate your way forward.

So, whether you’re just starting to learn about brain tumour treatments or are in the middle of a treatment journey, remember this: you’ve got the power to make informed decisions, and there are more treatment options than ever before to help fight back.