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Brain Tumors

    Posted: 03/31/2003



Introduction






The Brain






Understanding Cancer






Benign and Malignant Brain Tumors






Tumor Grade






Primary Brain Tumors






Secondary Brain Tumors






Brain Tumors: Who's at Risk?






Symptoms






Diagnosis






Treatment






Getting a Second Opinion






Preparing for Treatment






Methods of Treatment






Side Effects of Treatment






Surgery






Radiation Therapy






Chemotherapy






Supportive Care






Rehabilitation






Followup Care






Support for People with Brain Tumors






The Promise of Cancer Research






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Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical trials. These are research studies in which people take part voluntarily. Studies include new ways to treat brain tumors. Research has already led to advances, and researchers continue to search for more effective approaches.

Patients who join these studies have the first chance to benefit from treatments that have shown promise in earlier research. They also make an important contribution to medical science by helping doctors learn more about the disease. Although clinical trials may pose some risks, researchers take very careful steps to protect their patients.

Researchers are testing new anticancer drugs, doses, and treatment schedules. They are working with various drugs and drug combinations, as well as combinations of drugs and radiation therapy. They also are testing new methods and schedules of radiation therapy.

Patients who are interested in being part of a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. They may want to read the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies. It explains how clinical trials are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. NCI's Web site includes a section on clinical trials at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials. This section of the Web site provides general information about clinical trials. It also offers detailed information about ongoing studies of treatment for brain tumors. The Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER can answer questions and provide information about clinical trials.

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