Brain tumours

You may be worried about a brain tumour, have been recently diagnosed, or you may be thinking of someone you care about.

This page has information about brain tumour symptoms, getting diagnosed, managing treatment and side effects, and how Maggie's can help.

What is a brain tumour?

A brain tumour is a group of cells that have grown in an uncontrolled way in the brain.

Types of brain tumour

Brain tumours can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

This page is about cancerous brain tumours, or brain cancer. Some non-cancerous brain tumours are treated similarly to brain cancer.

There are many different types of brain tumour, including:

• gliomas, such as glioblastoma and astrocytoma
• pituitary adenoma
• meningiomas
• spinal cord tumours

Related cancers

Central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma is a type of brain tumour that starts in the white blood cells of the brain or spinal cord. It is considered both a brain tumour and lymphoma.

Cancerous tumours that spread from other parts of the body to the brain are called brain metastases. This is different from brain cancer, which starts in the brain.

Causes of brain tumours

What causes brain tumours is often unknown, but there are factors that may increase your risk of developing one.

Some of these risk factors are specific to brain cancer, including:

• family history of brain tumours
• previous cancer
• exposure to radiation, such as previous radiotherapy to the head
  
• compromised immune system caused by HIV, AIDS, an autoimmune disease or taking immunosuppressive drugs

Other risk factors are common to all cancers. Find out more about reducing your risk of cancer.

Having risk factors does not necessarily mean you will get brain cancer. But it is helpful to be aware of the risks and see a doctor if you have any concerns.

You may be offered regular scans or blood tests if you have high-risk factors or a family history of brain tumours. Find out more about genetic testing for cancer.

Signs and symptoms of a brain tumour

Brain tumours often has no early signs. When a brain tumour does cause symptoms, these may include:

• headaches
• feeling sick (nauseous) or sleepy (drowsy)
• seizures (fits)
• problems with vision, speech, reading or writing
• changes to personality, mood or memory
• difficulty with balance and coordination
• numbness or twitching
  

Most people with these symptoms do not have a brain tumour. But if you do have symptoms, it is important to speak to your doctor. 

If it is cancer, it will be easier to treat if it has been detected early.

Getting diagnosed with a brain tumour

If you have been having symptoms of a brain tumour, the first step will usually be to see your GP.

What happens in your GP appointment

Your GP will ask you to describe your symptoms. You should also tell them about any previous cancer and treatment you have had, and if you have a family history of brain tumours.

The doctor might:

• examine you by feeling your head and neck for any lumps or swelling
• look into your eyes
• test your reflexes by tapping your knee with a small rubber hammer
• check your balance and coordination
• check your memory with a simple test
• arrange blood tests
  
• ask to see you again
• arrange for you to see a specialist at the hospital

If you don't have a hospital appointment and your symptoms continue or get worse, you should make another GP appointment.

Find out more about preparing for your GP appointment.

Testing for brain tumours

A neurologist is a specialist in the brain. To find the cause of your symptoms, the neurologist may arrange further tests, such as:

• a neurological examination – a series of tests to check your nervous system
• a CT scan, PET-CT scan or an MRI scan
• a biopsy, where a tiny sample of your brain tissue is removed and tested

After these tests and scans, you will be given an appointment to get your results.

Waiting for appointments, tests and results can be a difficult time, and you might find that asking some questions and preparing for your results helps. 

Find out more about how Maggie's can help.

Understanding a brain tumour diagnosis

The doctor will explain if you have a cancerous brain tumour in your results appointment, and whether you need further tests and scans to see if the cancer has moved outside the brain.

It is normal to feel overwhelmed or in shock after hearing that you have brain cancer, and you might have a lot of information to process.

Our cancer support specialists are here to listen, to help you understand what your diagnosis means, and to find the right support for you.

Find your nearest Maggie's to talk to us, or find out more about understanding a cancer diagnosis.

Treatment for brain tumours

Treatment can be aimed at shrinking a tumour, removing the cancer completely, or controlling the symptoms that it causes. You may have more than one type of treatment.

The types of treatment most commonly offered for brain tumours are:

• active surveillance or 'watch and wait'
• surgery
• chemotherapy
• radiotherapy
• supportive treatments, such as steroids
• clinical trials

Your cancer care team will work together to decide which treatment options could be best for you. Your doctor and specialist nurse will then discuss these with you.

You might want to get a second opinion before deciding on a treatment plan.

Making treatment decisions can feel daunting, and you might have lots of concerns or questions. Find out more about how Maggie's can support you.

Managing the effects of a brain tumour and treatment

A brain cancer diagnosis can affect your life in many ways. You may be dealing with:

• symptoms and side effects of the brain tumour and treatment
• changes to your day-to-day life
• worries about money
• a range of feelings and emotions

Contact or visit your nearest Maggie's centre and together we will find the right support for you.

You can also explore our cancer support pages for more information.

After treatment for a brain tumour

When treatment ends, it can leave you with mixed feelings of relief and uncertainty.

For many people, brain tumours are treated successfully. For some, they come back or are diagnosed at an advanced stage from the start.

We have more information on finishing treatment and treatment for advanced cancer, as well as courses and workshops to support you and your family beyond treatment.

How Maggie's can help

We offer free expert psychological and practical support tailored to you, whatever stage you're at, and for friends and family too.

• Find your nearest centre, leave your details and we’ll give you a call
• Just come in – you don't need an appointment

Last review: Nov 2024 | Next review: Nov 2027