palliative treatment
Last edited 11/2018
Palliative treatment may be recommended in patients with high grade tumours which have crossed the midline and cannot be removed, and for lesions involving the optic chiasm.
A loading dose of dexamethasone followed by further doses administered orally or by injection will reduce oedema and rapidly alleviate symptoms. The dose must be reduced gradually over several days to avoid side-effects.
Follow up with radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be advised.