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CANCER - The Brain - Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is not used for all brain tumours. It may be used alone or together with radiotherapy in patients with primary brain tumours that cannot be removed surgically, or as part of the treatment of secondary brain tumours.

There are different methods of giving chemotherapy drugs. The commonest ways are by injection into a vein (intravenously), or by mouth (orally), or a combination of these. Chemotherapy usually lasts a few days, followed by a rest period of a few weeks, which allows your body to recover from any side effects. The number of courses will depend on the type of brain tumour. Chemotherapy for brain tumours is usually given in the hospital out-patients department. Ask your doctor what side effects to expect from your treatment. Hormone therapy such as Tamoxifen may be given with chemotherapy as it is thought to make it more effective.

Side effects of chemotherapy
While the drugs are acting on the cancer cells in your body, they also temporarily reduce the number of normal cells in your blood. When these cells are reduced you are more likely to get an infection and you may tire more easily. Before and during chemotherapy your blood will be tested and if necessary you will be given a blood transfusion, or antibiotics to treat any infections. If needed you can take medicines to help stop you feeling sick. If the drugs make your mouth sore and cause small mouth ulcers, regular mouthwashes can help and your nurse will show you how to do these properly.

While you are having chemotherapy it is important to drink enough fluids and maintain a healthy diet. If you don't feel like eating you could try supplementing your meals with high calorie drinks, which you can buy from most chemists. If you feel sick, your doctor can prescribe anti-sickness tablets which can help.

If you do lose your hair from chemotherapy you can wear a wig, hats or scarves, and you may be entitled to a free wig from the National Health Service. Your doctor or one of the nurses on the ward or outpatients department can arrange for an appliance officer or wig specialist to visit you.

You may feel very tired during and after the treatment and it is important to rest properly. Do as much as you feel like and try not to overdo it.

Although the side effects may seem hard to bear at the time, they will quickly disappear once your treatment is over.