BRAIN CANCER | Is cannabis the answer?

Many people know how cannabis can help cancer patients through side effects of chemotherapy treatment, but it can also help those affected by brain cancer. Compounds found in cannabis, called cannabinoids, have been shown to reduce tumor cell growth in cancer.

A brain tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in the brain. There are many different types of brain tumors. Tumors can be noncancerous (benign), and others are cancerous (malignant) and can begin in your brain (primary brain) or cancer from another part of your body can spread to your brain (metastic tumor). According to the American Brain Tumor Association, over 700,000 Americans are living with a brain tumor today, and only about 32 percent of brain and central nervous system tumors are malignant. Over 28,000 children in the U.S. are fighting brain tumors today, and nearly 16,000 people will die as a result of a brain tumor this year. Among children ages 0-14, brain tumors are the second most common cancer and are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in this age group. Doctors are still unsure why some cells begin to form tumor cells. They believe it may have to do with the genes, the environment, or a combination of both factors.

Treatment is based on several factors including age, overall health, medical history, type, location and size of tumor, and how likely it is to spread or recur. Treatment options include observation, anti-seizure/anti-epilepetic drugs (AEDs), steroids, and surgery. If the tumor is considered a high-grade tumor or aggressively spreading, treatment after surgery may be necessary, which can include radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, tumor treating fields, or clinical trial options if there’s one available.

Over 120 types of brain tumors exist. Each type may have a unique treatment approach. Many brain tumors are removed with surgery because of the local damage by the growth and pressure caused on crucial areas of the brain. Brain tumors can also block the flow of fluid around the brain, which can cause increased pressure and inflammation on the skull. With thousands of brain tumor surgeries performed every year, some patients and doctors are looking into cannabis for treatment and protective qualities.

Studies about tumors and cannabis are finding promising results. The “Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis by cannabinoids” research study found a basis for anti-tumor action of cannabinoids and inhibiting tumors to develop new blood vessels and growth within a person. Another study called Cannabinoids and Cancer from Israel also found cannabinoids interfering with the actions of tumor cell growth factors by decreasing new blood vessel formation spreading the cancer. The study states that additional cannabinoid receptors may exist and could explain some anticancer effects, but without knowing more it is very difficult to determine the structural-activity relationship for the cannabinoid anticancer effects. The study summarizes that cannabinoids may represent a new class of anticancer drugs that may delay development of cancer growth and inhibit blood vessel formation and the spreading of cancer cells. There are several other studies that summarize the same anticancer effects of cannabiniods.

CANNABINOIDS SHOW AN ACCEPTABLE SAFETY PROFILE WITH MINIMAL SIDE EFFECTS

Cannabinoids show an acceptable safety profile with minimal side effects, especially when compared to other treatment options, and they have promising results inducing tumor cell death and slowing and preventing cancer cell growth. This is why some brain cancer patients are opting to try cannabinoid therapy for treatment before opting for brain surgery. Since cannabinoids regulate key cell signaling pathways involved in cell survival, invasion, blood vessel formulation, and spreading, it makes sense that patients are exploring cannabis therapy after receiving a brain cancer diagnosis. With the federal government of the U.S. holding a patent on cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants, it only strengthens the case to consider cannabis therapy options. Adding cannabinoids for their neuroprotectant properties to limit neurological damage with a brain cancer diagnosis may provide benefits as well as help treat the cancer. With nearly 16,000 brain cancer deaths in the U.S. every year and brain cancer being the leading cause of cancer related deaths among children, researching further treatment options for cancer with cannabis is needed to help save and improve the quality of life for so many people. The promising results of cannabinoid studies continue to give hope to all the people and families affected by a brain cancer diagnosis.

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