Primary Brain Tumors
Glioma / Astrocytoma / Oligodendroglioma / Ependymoma
The 100 billion nerve cells of the brain are supported by at least 10 times as many "support cells". The most common of these are glia, and while their function is vital to the brain, they are also the most common origin of brain tumors. The glial tumors are usually malignant or "pre-malignant", with few exceptions in adults. The tumors have finger-like extensions into surrounding normal brain tissue, and therefore cannot usually be completely surgically removed without injury to normal surrounding brain. The standard treatment for adult gliomas remains surgical resection where possible, followed by conventional fractionated radiotherapy and chemotherapy. GKS may be used to treat recurrences after radiotherapy and surgery. The optimal role of GKS for these tumors is still being studied, and application of GKS is being considered on an individualized basis.
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