What is the typical first line of chemotherapy treatments used to treat a brain tumor? Does it depend on the type of tumor?

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MarkGilbertMD (Physician - Neuro-Oncology (Verified) ) - 07 / 23 / 2012

The treatment for brain tumors does depend upon the tumor type. This emphasizes the need for an accurate pathologic diagnosis. With the exception of some tumors in the brainstem, all tumors should undergo either a tumor resection or biopsy so the pathologist can determine the type of tumor. For glioblastoma, also known as a grade IV astrocytoma, the oral chemotherapy agent temozolomide is used in combination with radiation treatment. After the radiation is completed, then patients typically receive 6 to 12 months of additional temozolomide chemotherapy. The role of chemotherapy is less clear for other brain tumors. However, the late results of 2 studies did determine that radiation and chemotherapy is optimal treatment for patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma tumors that contain the 1p 19q chromosome loss. The role of chemotherapy for low grade (grade II) gliomas and anaplastic astrocytomas (grade III) has not yet been clearly defined.
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