Brain tumours

A brain tumour is a lump of abnormal cells growing in your brain.¹ Our brains have various critical functions, and any number of these functions may be affected depending on the location/ type of a brain tumour.^2,3

Broadly, brain tumours are categorised as either ‘benign’ or ‘malignant’; within each category, there are subtypes which have varying characteristics:³

• Benign tumours - Usually these types of tumours grow slowly and are less likely to spread to other parts of the body.
• Malignant tumours - These tumours are cancerous and are characterised by growing quickly and may spread within the brain and/or the spinal cord. 

In addition to the above mentioned categories, brain tumours are also classified as either ‘primary’ or ‘secondary’ tumours, with differences being:^3,4

• A primary tumour starts in the brain
• A secondary (metastatic) tumour starts in another part of the body and then spreads to the brain.^3,4

The treatment options recommended for a brain tumour usually depend on a range of factors including general health, age, type, and the disease stage. Treatment options offered may include:

• Surgery - aims to remove as much of the tumour as possible, ideally the entire tumour, while minimising damage to healthy parts of the brain. Surgery may also be suggested to help relieve pressure on the brain, and to help reduce the tumour size for further treatment via chemotherapy and radiation therapy
• Radiation therapy - uses high energy X-rays or other particles to treat cancer and can be used at all stages.
• Chemotherapy - is an approach to cancer therapy which involves the administration of medicine, usually orally or by injection, which is intended to kill cancer cells or minimise their growth and spread. Chemotherapy can be used in conjunction with other cancer treatments.
• Steroid therapy - is sometimes recommended to help reduce inflammation around a brain tumour.

Cancer treatment often results in side effects - yet the type and severity of side effects may vary between individuals.^10,11 You can ask your doctor for detailed information around side effects and how to best manage them.

We understand that a cancer diagnosis can be emotional and life changing.¹² It’s natural to feel disbelief, shock, anxiety, sadness, anger and loneliness.¹³ Our care team will aim to know your name and get to know who you are as a person. Your nursing team and oncology team are here to support you before, during and after your cancer treatment. We are here to guide you and to help get the support you need which may include a psychologist, exercise physiologist, physiotherapist, and dietitian.

If you have any enquiries about our centres or services, please contact your local centre team. You are able to view a list of our centres here.

Other brain cancer information, resources and support services are available to assist you during your cancer journey. These include: