How To Treat Pineoblastoma

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is often used in combination with chemotherapy and surgical resection to treat pineoblastoma. Radiation therapy is able to kill malignant cells in a localized area with the use of high-energy beams. The beams of energy can be in the form of x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or protons. Most patients who need radiation therapy to treat their pineoblastoma will receive external beam radiation. This type of radiation therapy is performed with the use of a machine outside of the body that aims the energy beams at the area with malignant cells. The energy beams stop cancer from growing and kill malignant cells by breaking up the strands of DNA inside of the cells. When the DNA strands are interfered with in this way, they can no longer multiply and carry out metabolic functions, resulting in apoptosis or cellular death. The most significant advantage of using radiation therapy is it only causes minimal damage to surrounding tissues, unlike the systemic effects of chemotherapy. Radiation therapy may not be an ideal treatment option for younger patients affected by pineoblastoma because it is not recommended for patients who are three years old or younger.

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