Brain cancer is abnormal cells that form a tumour in the brain. If the tumour starts in the brain, it’s a primary tumour. If it spreads to the brain from another place in the body, it’s a secondary tumour or brain metastasis. 

Brain and central nervous system tumours are the 9th most common cancer in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK. Brain cancer affects people of all ages, but the risk gradually increases from age 25.  

As a brain tumour grows it takes up more space, increasing pressure in the skull and causing symptoms. The exact symptoms depend on where the tumour is in the brain.

Brain tumour symptoms include: 

• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Feeling sick
• Vomiting
• Changes to vision, speech and hearing
• Fits

Other brain cancer symptoms can include changes to personality or intellect, loss of balance, difficulty speaking, and hormonal imbalances. These are caused by tumours in specific parts of the brain.

Most brain tumours affect one side of the body more than the other.

If you are worried about signs of a brain tumour, it is important to see a doctor straight away. It might not be cancer, but it is always better to get checked so any treatment can start without delay. 

You can see your GP, who may refer you to a specialist. If you have private medical insurance, or would like to self-pay, you may also be able to access a private GP quickly. 

There are over 130 types of brain tumours, which depend on the type of brain cells they affect. Not all brain tumours are cancerous. 

The most common type of malignant brain tumour in adults is glioblastoma, making up around 4 in 5 cases of all malignant primary brain tumours. It starts in glial cells, which support neurons (nerve cells) and provide structure.

Other types of brain tumours include:

• Astrocytoma - a type of glial cell tumour, which can be cancerous
  
• Acoustic neuromas - a benign brain tumour starting in the ear
  
• Ependymoma - a rare brain tumour that usually grows quickly
  
• Glioma - the name for any type of brain cancer starting in glial cells
  
• Meningioma - usually benign cancer starting in the layers covering the brain
  
• Oligodendroglioma - a rare glial cell tumour that can grow slowly or fast
  
• Pituitary tumour - a rare, usually non-cancerous tumour that can affect hormone balance

At GenesisCare, we treat all types of adult brain tumours. 

It's not usually possible to say why any one person develops brain cancer. It begins with mutations in the DNA that cause brain cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. Research is looking to better understand why these mutations happen.  

Certain genetic conditions can cause brain tumours:

• Neurofibromatosis (NF) type 1 and type 2
• Tuberous sclerosis (TSC)
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome
• Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL)
• Turner syndrome
• Turcot syndrome
• Gorlin syndrome

These are rare conditions usually causing non-cancerous (benign tumours).

At GenesisCare, we diagnose and treat a wide range of cancers, including brain cancer, and we understand that this can be a very worrying time. Our diagnostic services are world-class, and our commitment is to give you the answers you need, as quickly as possible. 

Most people’s diagnosis of brain cancer starts with a visit to an emergency room. This is because symptoms can come on suddenly, including seizures. Some people start by seeing their GP for less severe symptoms.

If brain cancer is suspected, you will usually be referred to a specialist. They complete several tests and scans, which can include:

• Neurological test, including checking muscle strength, reflexes, sensation, eye tests and hearing tests
• Blood tests
• CT scans
• Brain MRI scan
• PET/SPECT scan
• Surgical biopsy
• Lumbar puncture
• Neuroendoscopy

Primary brain cancer is not staged like other cancers, because it behaves differently. It rarely spreads outside the brain, and the size does not always impact your outlook.

Brain tumours are graded depending on how fast they are growing. Grade 1 and 2 tumours are slow-growing and considered benign.

Grade 3 and 4 brain tumours are fast-growing and considered malignant. Like cancerous tumours, benign brain tumours may still need treatment.

The location of a brain tumour is a key factor affecting the outlook. A large brain tumour that is easy to reach may have more treatment options than a small one deep inside the brain. 

There are several treatment options for brain tumours. Sometimes, brain tumours can be removed completely with surgery.

When a cure is not possible, treatments aim to control your brain tumour – helping you live as well as possible for as long as possible. In the case of slow-growing tumours, this can mean years or decades.

At GenesisCare, it’s our commitment to offer world-class care to every patient with cancer. Skip ahead to discover our approach to brain cancer treatment.  

The main treatments are:

• Surgery – removing part or all of the brain tumour
  
• Chemotherapy – anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs that destroy cancer cells
  
• Radiotherapy – high-energy radiation beams targeted at cancer cells
• Stereotactic radiosurgery – an advanced, accurate, high doses radiotherapy technique that can destroy brain tumours while ‘sparing’ or protecting healthy brain tissue

Risk factors increase your chances of being affected by a brain tumour. Known risk factors for brain tumours include:

• Age – although brain tumours can start at any time, the chances increase as you age
• Being above your healthy weight – around 3 in 100 brain tumours are thought to be caused by being overweight
• Radiation exposure – rarely, brain tumours are linked to radiation exposure, such as from a previous treatment
• Genetics – some rare conditions can cause benign brain tumours

Brain cancer can't usually be prevented. Maintaining a healthy BMI can lower your risk of meningioma, but these account for a small number of brain tumours and are usually benign.

You can, however, lower your risk of secondary brain cancer. This is brain cancer that starts somewhere else and spreads to the brain, most commonly from the lungs or breast. For example:

• Avoiding smoking – 4 in 5 cases of lung cancer are linked to smoking
• Exercise – regular activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, lowering your risk of breast cancer and any cancer

We are the UK’s leading independent provider of private cancer care. By choosing us, you can be reassured that your treatment is managed by a team of specialists working together with you to design the best plan for your brain cancer.

As part of our patient-centred care approach, all our patients are discussed in our twice weekly national multi-disciplinary (MDT) meeting which brings together UK’s leading experts, including Neuro-oncologists, Neuro-Surgeons, Neuro-radiologists, Medical Physicists and Neuro Clinical Nurse Specialists.

This team will ensure you have rapid access to a tailored treatment plan that will deliver the best outcome possible.

Our approach to world-class care for brain cancer includes: 

• A personalised plan built around you
• Treatment starting within days if needed
• 14 outpatient cancer centres across the UK
• State-of-the-art facilities specialising in advanced radiotherapy
• Compassionate chemotherapy nurses available 24/7 by telephone 
• Integrative cancer care including wellbeing therapies and exercise medicine
• Recognised by all leading private medical insurers with self-pay options available

We are proud that so many patients rate our care as excellent as we help them through their cancer journey. Hear the unique experiences of people who have had their cancer diagnosis or treatment at GenesisCare in our patient stories section.

Our consultants include expert neuro-oncological surgeons who work in local and nationally renowned hospitals. They collaborate with other cancer specialists to tailor a treatment plan for you.

We use advanced techniques including fMRI to carefully plan brain surgery. This helps us protect important brain functions by mapping them out.

If your consultant recommends surgery for your brain tumour, this can be arranged conveniently at one of our comfortable partner hospitals. You can then continue any other treatments at GenesisCare.

We are the leading private provider of radiotherapy in the UK, offering world-class expertise and state-of-the-art facilities that specialise in advanced radiotherapy techniques. Our renowned oncologists, radiotherapists and dietitians work together to ensure that you receive the best possible care.

We are proud to offer a world-class stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) service for the treatment of tumours of the brain. SRS is an advanced radiological technique that lets us powerfully target brain tumours in a single session, while sparing healthy brain tissue, carefully planned with functional MRI (fMRI).

Our compassionate chemotherapy nursing teams are available 24/7 on a dedicated on-call telephone service and can answer any queries during your treatment. They’ll be able to provide advice about side effects or symptoms and arrange any care you need throughout.

Our centres have all received the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark to reflect the quality of care we provide for people living with cancer.

We are the first UK private cancer care provider, to offer Optune Gio® as standard of care for eligible patients for newly diagnosed WHO Grade 4 Glioma patients, through our partnership with global oncology company, Novocure.

Optune Gio® is a portable, non-invasive, CE marked medical device that delivers alternating electric fields, called Tumour Treating Fields (“TTFields”). TTFields are delivered at a unique frequency that allows it to selectively disrupt Grade 4 Glioma cell division¹²³. 

Your consultant will discuss if this is appropriate for you after completion of chemoradiation.

Every patient is supported through their journey with consultant-led integrative cancer care, which combines medical treatment with life-changing approaches including exercise medicine, wellbeing therapies and psychological support.

You will have optional access to a wellbeing expert to guide you through holistic therapies of your choice, such as counselling, acupuncture, massage and reflexology, through our unique partnership with the Penny Brohn UK charity.

Exercise medicine includes a 12-week personalised programme provided by a specialist physiotherapist, available at selected centres, with techniques shown to improve outcomes for cancer patients and reduce the impact of cancer by enhancing quality of life, reducing fatigue and improving strength.