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There are many different types of treatment options available to choose from. In your search you will encounter literally hundreds of options that can be grouped into four separate categories; Conventional, Complimentary, Alternative and Experimental. It’s important that you understand the role each of these plays in fighting brain tumors.

Do the research and ask you doctor questions. Do not assume that your doctor is aware of every treatment option and every experimental program out there. But if you bring it to their attention, they have the ability to research it further and provide you with an educated response.

Most parents choice a multidisciplinary approach that combines treatments with proven track records. Until a crystal clear roadmap is created to curing pediatric brain tumors parents need to look at all options. It is important to work with your physician to determine the right plan for your child. If your doctor is not flexible or unwilling to try new things, then find a new doctor.

Questions to ask
The first question you need to ask your physician is… is the treatment plan being offered “Curative”, which means will this treatment cure my child’s cancer? Next you need to ask; Does it have a history of success? What are the statistical odds of using this treatment? What are the side effects? Will this treatment cause long term damage? Will this treatment harm my child? Ask questions regarding the Quality of Life your child will have on the treatment plan. Ask about the side effects you should be looking for, and what can be done to control them.

Conventional

Treatment options that fall under this group are the most common and medically accepted way of treating your child’s brain tumor. These treatment options incorporate methods that have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are generally the only ones allowed by law that can be prescribed by your doctor. Treatment options that fall into this category are ones that are the result of years of research and testing.

They include:

• Surgery to remove the tumor
• Radiosurgery, which is a single high dose of radiation delivered to a small area
• Radiation therapy, which is given over a period of time, usually 6 weeks in small doses to kill tumor cells
• Chemotherapy, which utilizes a drug to kill tumor cells usually taken in the form of a pill or intravenously over a period of time

Children that have a tumor that can be surgically removed, followed by treatments of radiation and chemotherapy, usually have the best chance at long term survival or can even be completely cured. When surgery is not an option, the odds of a successful outcome are greatly reduced.

Complementary

Complimentary treatment options are generally used in combination with Conventional treatments. They are typically not curative type treatments, but can help your child increase his chance of survival if used properly. Doctors typically do not prescribe these types of treatments but can answer questions on whether or not your child will receive any benefit from them.

Some examples include:

• Vitamin and Protein Supplements
• Nutritional and Dietary Programs

Alternative

These types of treatment plans are considered outside of the mainstream and are not generally supported by your physician. That does not mean that your child will not receive any benefit, but it does mean that you should do your homework before subjecting your child to one of these treatment plans. Some plans allow the child to be involved in other types of Conventional or Complimentary treatment plans, but some do not.

Accurate statistics on cure rates for Alternative treatments are usually not available. If the claims being made sound to good to be true, it usually is. Question the source of the data and reliability of whoever is presenting it.

Always consult with your physician to make sure that the plan you chose does not cause any conflicts with your Conventional treatments. One thing to remember is Alternative treatment plans do not fall under the FDA guidelines and one must exercise caution before starting these types of treatments.

They include:

• Chinese Medicine
• Tinctures, Roots and Herbs
• Healing Touch
• Unlicensed “cure all” wonder drugs

Experimental

These types of treatments are available as options but have not been incorporated into the mainstream care for brain tumor patients. Usually they are in some phase of research and testing. It’s always recommended to look at something new and weigh the benefits.

They include:

• FDA approved clinical trials (Phase I, Phase II or Phase III)
• Hyperbaric chambers
• Gene Therapy
• Chemotherapeutic drugs such as implantable Gliadel® wafers
• Experimental Chemotherapy drugs used alone or in combination with others