Brain cancer - temozolomide

People with recurrent brain cancer who's initial chemotherapy treatment has failed (either because it was not effective or because it caused side effects) may be considered for treatment with temozolomide, when  they have a tumour that it has been shown is malignant through microscopic exami ...

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People with recurrent brain cancer who's initial chemotherapy treatment has failed (either because it was not effective or because it caused side effects) may be considered for treatment with temozolomide, when 

• they have a tumour that it has been shown is malignant through microscopic examination of the tumour cells (at first relapse), 
• imaging tests have shown that the tumour has re-occurred or is progressing (imaging tests are used to produce pictures of areas inside the body).), 
• they have a Karnofsky performance status greater than or equal to 70. (Karnofsky is a measure given by a health professional to a patients ability to perform certain ordinary tasks: 100 = normal, no complaints, 70 = unable to carry on normal activity, 50 =requires considerable assistance, 40 = disabled, 30 -=hospitalisation recommended) 
• it is expected that they will live for 12 weeks or more, at the start of the temozolomide treatment.

Temozolomide is only recommended as the initial chemotherapy treatment for patients with brain cancer when they are taking part in a clinical trial

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