neurologic disorders
Overview of Intracranial Tumors
Treatment of Intracranial Tumors
Airway protection Dexamethasonefor increased intracranial pressure Mannitolfor herniation Antiseizure medications for seizures Definitive therapy with excision, radiation therapy, systemic cancer therapy (eg, Chemotherapy , Patients in a coma or with impaired airway reflexes require Tracheal Intubation . Brain Herniation due to tumors is treated with hyperosmotic therapy ( Increased intracranial pressure due to tumors but without herniation can be treated with corticosteroids (eg,dexamethasone4 mg orally every 6 to 12 hours orprednisone30 to 40 mg orally twice a day). Treatment of the brain tumor depends on pathology and location. Surgical excision should be used for diagnosis (excisional biopsy) and symptom relief. It may cure benign tumors. For tumors infiltrating the brain parenchyma, treatment is multimodal. Radiation therapy is required, and chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and/or immunotherapy appears to benefit some patients. Treatment of metastatic tumors includes radiation therapy and sometimes stereotactic radiosurgery. For patients with a single metastasis, surgical excision of the tumor before radiation therapy improves outcome. If patients have an incurable tumor, end-of-life issues should be discussed, and Palliative Care and Hospice consultation should be considered. 