Brain Cancer Survival Rate and Treatment

Over 22,000 Americans die of brain cancer every year. Unfortunately, brain cancer is among the most deadly of cancers, even with early discovery. The prognosis of patients depends on the size and location of the tumor(s) in the brain.

Clarification

When other cancers spread to the brain, those tumors are referred to as metastatic brain tumors. The treatment for metastatic brain cancer is different than for tumors that originate in the brain.

Prognosis

According to the National Cancer Institute, 34.8% of brain cancer patients survive after five years.

Considerations

Those with tumors confined to the brain have a 37.2% chance of survival after five years. The survival rate for brain cancer is low whether it is metastatic or not.

Treatment

Oncologists normally recommend surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible without damaging brain function. After surgery, most patients undergo chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both.

Alternative Treatment

If standard brain cancer treatment has a low probability of success, doctors sometimes recommend palliative care, where chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and surgery are performed to manage symptoms rather than to fight the cancer.

References

• American Cancer Society - Brain Cancer
• National Cancer Institute - Brain Cancer
• SEER Fact Sheet on Brain Cancer

Resources

• Mayo Clinic - Brain Tumor