Treatments for Tumor

Treatments of Tumor: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the treatments of Tumor.

Malignant spinal neoplasms: Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Treatment of spinal cord tumors generally includes decompression or radiation. Laminectomy is indicated for primary tumors that produce spinal cord or cauda equina compression; it isn't usually indicated for metastatic tumors. If the tumor is slowly progressive or if it's treated before the cord degenerates from compression, symptoms are likely to disappear, and complete restoration of function is possible. In a patient with metastatic carcinoma or lymphoma who suddenly experiences complete transverse myelitis with spinal shock, functional improvement is unlikely, even with treatment, and his outlook is ominous. If the patient has incomplete paraplegia of rapid onset, emergency surgical decompression may save cord function. Steroid therapy with dexamethasone minimizes cord edema and temporarily relieves symptoms until surgery can be performed. Partial removal of intramedullary gliomas, followed by radiation, may alleviate symptoms for a short time. Metastatic extradural tumors can be controlled with radiation, analgesics and, in the case of hormone-mediated tumors (breast and prostate), appropriate hormone therapy. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may control radicular pain from spinal cord tumors and is a useful alternative to opioid analgesics. In TENS, an electrical charge is applied to the skin to stimulate large-diameter nerve fibers and thereby inhibit transmission of pain impulses through small-diameter nerve fibers. Chemotherapy generally hasn't proven effective against most spinal tumors, but may be recommended in some cases.

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Malignant brain tumors: Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Treatment includes removing a resectable tumor; reducing a nonresectable tumor; relieving cerebral edema, increased ICP, and other symptoms; and preventing further neurologic damage.

The mode of therapy depends on the tumor's histologic type, radiosensitivity, and location and may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or decompression of increased ICP with diuretics, cortico-steroids, or possibly ventriculoatrial or ventriculoperitoneal shunting of CSF.

A glioma usually requires resection by craniotomy, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The combination of nitrosoureas (carmustine [BCNU], lomustine [CCNU], or procarbazine) and postoperative radiation is more effective than radiation alone.

Surgical resection of low-grade cystic cerebellar astrocytomas brings long-term survival. Treatment of other astrocytomas includes repeated surgery, radiation therapy, and shunting of fluid from obstructed CSF pathways. Some astrocytomas are highly radiosensitive, but others are radioresistant.

Treatment of oligodendrogliomas and ependymomas includes resection and radiation therapy; for medulloblastomas, resection and possibly intrathecal infusion of methotrexate or another antineoplastic drug. Meningiomas require resection, including dura mater and bone (operative mortality may reach 10% because of large tumor size).

For schwannomas, microsurgical technique allows complete resection of the tumor and preservation of facial nerves. Although schwannomas are moderately radioresistant, postoperative radiation therapy is necessary.

Chemotherapy for malignant brain tumors includes the nitrosoureas that help break down the blood-brain barrier and allow other chemotherapeutic drugs to go through as well. Intrathecal and intra-arterial administration of drugs maximizes drug actions.

Palliative measures for gliomas, astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas include dexamethasone for cerebral edema; osmotic diuretics, such as urea and mannitol, to reduce brain swelling; analgesics to control pain; and antacids and histamine receptor antagonists for stress ulcers. These tumors and schwannomas may also require anticonvulsants such as phenytoin to reduce seizures.

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Primary malignant bone tumors: Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Excision of the tumor with a 3"(7.6 cm) margin is the treatment of choice. It may be combined with preoperative chemo-therapy.

In some patients, radical surgery (such as hemipelvectomy or amputation) is necessary; however, surgical resection of the tumor (commonly with preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy) has saved limbs from amputation.

Intensive chemotherapy includes administration of doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, dacarbazine, and etoposide in various combinations. Chemotherapy may be infused intra-arterially into the long bones of the legs.

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Pituitary tumors: Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Surgical options include transfrontal removal of large tumors impinging on the optic apparatus and transsphenoidal resection for smaller tumors confined to the pituitary fossa. (See Transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.)

Radiation is the primary treatment for small, nonsecretory tumors that don't extend beyond the sella turcica or for patients who may be poor postoperative risks; otherwise, it's an adjunct to surgery.

Postoperative treatment includes hormone replacement with cortisone, thyroid, and sex hormones; correction of electrolyte imbalance; and, as necessary, insulin therapy.

Drug therapy may include bromocriptine, an ergot derivative that shrinks prolactin- and GH-secreting tumors. Cyproheptadine, an antiserotonin drug, can reduce increased corticosteroid levels in the patient with Cushing's syndrome.

Adjuvant radiation therapy is used when only partial removal of the tumor is possible. Cryohypophysectomy (freezing the area with a probe inserted by transsphenoidal route) is a promising alternative to surgical dissection of the tumor.

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Benign tumors of the ear canal: Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Generally, a benign tumor requires surgical excision if it obstructs the ear canal, is cosmetically undesirable, or becomes malignant.

Treatment for keloids may include surgery followed by repeated injections of long-acting steroids into the suture line. Excision must be complete, but even this may not prevent recurrence.

Surgical excision of an osteoma consists of elevating the skin from the surface of the bony growth and shaving the osteoma with a mechanical burr or drill.

Before surgery, a sebaceous cyst requires preliminary treatment with antibiotics, to reduce inflammation. To prevent recurrence, excision must be complete, including the sac or capsule of the cyst.

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Bone tumors, primary malignant: Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)

❑ Excision of the tumor along with a 3"(7.6 cm) margin is the treatment of choice. It may be combined with preoperative chemotherapy.

❑ In some patients, radical surgery (such as hemipelvectomy or interscapulothoracic amputation) is necessary. However, surgical resection of the tumor (often with preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy) has saved limbs from amputation.

❑  Intensive chemotherapy includes administration of doxorubicin, ifosfamide, cisplatin, and high doses of methotrexate, alone or in various combinations for osteosarcomas. Additionally, vincristine, etoposide, and dactinomycin may be added if the patient has Ewing’s sarcoma. Chemotherapy may be infused intra-arterially into the long bones of the legs.

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Brain tumors, malignant: Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)

Remedial approaches include removing a resectable tumor; reducing a nonresectable tumor; relieving cerebral edema, increased ICP, and other signs and symptoms; and preventing further neurologic damage.

The mode of therapy depends on the tumor’s histologic type, radiosensitivity, and location and may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or decompression of increased ICP with a diuretic, corticosteroid or, possibly, ventriculoatrial or ventriculoperitoneal shunting of CSF.

❑ Gliomas. Treatment usually requires resection by craniotomy, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The combination of nitrosoureas (carmustine [BCNU], lomustine [CCNU], or procarbazine) and postoperative radiation is more effective than radiation alone.

❑ Astrocytomas. Surgical resection of low-grade cystic cerebellar astrocytomas brings long-term survival. Treatment of other astrocytomas includes repeated surgery, radiation therapy, and shunting of fluid from obstructed CSF pathways. Some astrocytomas are highly radiosensitive, but others are radioresistant.

❑ Oligodendrogliomas and ependymomas. Treatment includes resection and radiation therapy.

❑ Medulloblastomas. Treatment involves resection and, possibly, intrathecal infusion of methotrexate or another antineoplastic.

❑ Meningiomas. Treatment requires resection, including dura mater and bone (operative mortality may reach 10% because of large tumor size).

❑ Schwannomas. Microsurgical technique allows complete resection of the tumor and preservation of facial nerves. Although schwannomas are moderately radioresistant, postoperative radiation therapy is necessary.

Chemotherapy for malignant brain tumors includes a nitrosourea to help break down the blood-brain barrier and permit other chemotherapeutic drugs to go through as well. Intrathecal and intra-arterial administration of drugs maximizes drug action.

Palliative measures for gliomas, astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas include dexamethasone for cerebral edema and an antacid and a histamine-receptor antagonist for stress ulcers. These tumors and schwannomas may also require an anticonvulsant.

READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Pituitary tumors: Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)

Surgical options include transfrontal removal of large tumors impinging on the optic apparatus and transsphenoidal resection for smaller tumors confined to the pituitary fossa. (See Transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.) Radiation is the primary treatment for small, nonsecretory tumors that don’t extend beyond the sella turcica and for patients who may be poor postoperative risks; otherwise, it’s an adjunct to surgery.

Postoperative treatment includes hormone replacement with cortisone, thyroid, and sex hormones; correction of electrolyte imbalance; and, as necessary, insulin therapy.

Drug therapy may include bromo-criptine, an ergot derivative that shrinks prolactin-secreting and growth hormone-secreting tumors. Antiserotonin drugs can reduce increased corticosteroid levels in the patient with Cushing’s syndrome.

Adjuvant radiotherapy is used when only partial removal of the tumor is possible. Cryohypophysectomy (freezing the area with a probe inserted by transsphenoidal route) is a promising alternative to surgical dissection of the tumor.

READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Spinal neoplasms: Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)

Spinal cord tumors usually require decompression or radiation. Laminectomy is indicated for primary tumors that produce spinal cord or cauda equina compression; it’s not usually indicated for metastatic tumors.

If the tumor is slowly progressive, or if it’s treated before the cord degenerates from compression, symptoms are likely to disappear, and complete restoration of function is possible. In a patient with metastatic carcinoma or lymphoma who suddenly experiences complete transverse myelitis with spinal shock, functional improvement is unlikely, even with treatment, and the outlook is ominous.

If the patient has incomplete paraplegia of rapid onset, emergency surgical decompression may save cord function. Steroid therapy minimizes cord edema until surgery can be performed. Partial removal of intramedullary gliomas, followed by radiation, may alleviate symptoms for a short time.

Metastatic extradural tumors can be controlled with radiation, analgesics and, in the case of hormone-mediated tumors (breast and prostate), appropriate hormone therapy.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may control radicular pain from spinal cord tumors and is a useful alternative to narcotic analgesics. In TENS, an electrical charge is applied to the skin to stimulate large-diameter nerve fibers and thereby inhibit transmission of pain impulses through small-diameter nerve fibers.

READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Medications used to treat Tumor:

Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Tumor include:

• Cetuximab - mainly used in tumors over-expressing EGFR
• Erbitux - mainly used in tumors over-expressing EGFR

Medical news summaries about treatments for Tumor:

The following medical news items are relevant to treatment of Tumor:

• Brain cancer drug shows promising preliminary results
• Breast cancer drug reduces tumor size effectively
• Cancer vaccine targets only tumor cells
• Many promising new cancer drugs are in late-stage trials
• New Advexin tumor shrinking drug developed
• New brain cancer treatment improves prognosis
• Novel cancer treatment saves man from amputation
• Novel treatment for matastatic prostate cancer being developed
• Scientists reveal how protein causes resistance to anti-cancer therapies
• Treatment may now be possible for early diagnosed cases of Niemann-Pick disease
• When talking is a problem

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