Brain Tumor Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, Tenth edition

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INTRODUCTION BY HENRY S. FRIEDMAN, MD

 

SOME NOTES ABOUT THIS EDITION

 

CHAPTER 1: WHERE, WHEN, HOW, AND WHY ME?

Starting now

How to use this guide

Starting now: a guide to the Brain Tumor Guide for the Newly Diagnosed

Survivor story #1

 

CHAPTER 2: FROM DAY ONE, A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

Tools to help you get organized

Location, location, location

A personal diary

Legal documents

Major parts of the brain and associated functions

Power-of-attorney legal documents

Phone numbers

Second "expert" opinions

The role of caregivers and loved ones

Support for caregivers

Mind, body, and soul: faith in healing and emotional wellness

Impairments and strategies for coping

Survivor story #2

 

CHAPTER 3: UNDERSTANDING BRAIN TUMORS

What is a glioma?

What does "tumor grade" mean?

How long has the tumor been there?

Are brain tumors the same as brain cancer?

Can brain tumors be removed surgically?

What are the survival statistics for patients with brain tumors?

Survivor story #3

 

CHAPTER 4: YOUR MEDICAL TEAM, QUESTIONS TO ASK, AND BRAIN SCANS

What questions should I ask my medical team?

All about brain scans

Survivor story #4

 

CHAPTER 5: TREATMENTS OF BRAIN TUMORS

Standard-of-care treatment for high-grade glioma

Treatments and the Food and Drug Administration

Clinical trials

Neurosurgery

Radiation therapy

Chemotherapy

Tumor Treating Fields (TTF; Optune)

Long-term side effects

The Brain Tumor Virtual Trial

Survivor story #5

 

CHAPTER 6: ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS

The mainstream path of treatment development

How alternative treatments are developed

Survivor story #6

 

CHAPTER 7: COMMON MEDICINES FOR TREATING SYMPTOMS

Medications for pain relief

Medications for swelling

Medications for reducing seizures

Medications for reducing nausea

Medications for improving mood

Medications for reducing the formation of blood clots

Survivor story #7

 

CHAPTER 8: SEX AND FERTILITY

Effects of treatment and medication

Birth control

Sex, surgery, and brain tumor treatment

Fertility

Survivor story #8

 

CHAPTER 9: "REAL WORLD" AND ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS

"Real world" support groups

Online support groups

Survivor story #9

 

CHAPTER 10: INSURANCE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

The cost of cancer care

Understanding your insurance

Financial assistance

Survivor story #10

 

AFTERWORD BY AL MUSELLA, DPM

 

APPENDIX: THE virtualtrials.org WEBSITE OF THE MUSELLA FOUNDATION

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

 

SITE MAP OF virtualtrials.org