Brain tumours
A brain tumour is not one disease: its type, grade and location change everything. This page is for families who have just heard the news and want to know what to ask.
The first thing to know
After hearing this news, most things feel unclear. Before any decision, ask three things: What type of tumour is it? Where is it? What grade is it? The answers shape the treatment more than anything else.
Type and grade
Tumours are graded from 1 to 4. Grades 1 and 2 are low and grow slowly. Grades 3 and 4 are high and more likely to return.
- Non-cancerous: grows slowly and returns less often.
- Primary cancerous: starts in the brain itself.
- Secondary: has spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body.
Signs
The signs depend on where the tumour is:
- Headaches, sometimes worse in the morning or waking you at night
- Seizures
- Persistent nausea, vomiting and drowsiness
- Changes in behaviour or memory
- Progressive weakness on one side of the body
- Vision or speech problems
These signs have many causes, and most headaches have nothing to do with a tumour. See this article.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the tumour type, location, size and your general health:
- Steroids: to reduce swelling around the tumour
- Anti-seizure medicines and painkillers: to control symptoms
- Surgery: to remove the tumour or take a sample
- Radiotherapy and chemotherapy: especially for any part left behind
Follow-up with imaging continues after treatment, because even some non-cancerous tumours can return.
What is brain surgery like?
The surgeon removes a piece of skull bone, does the work, and usually puts the bone back with small plates. Some operations use an endoscope or a navigation system. If a tumour lies beside a vital area such as the language centre, the patient is sometimes awake for part of the operation.
Risks of surgery
Brain surgery carries serious risks: problems with speech, memory, strength, balance or vision that may be short-lived or lasting; bleeding, blood clots, stroke, seizures, infection, brain swelling and the need for more surgery. Your surgeon should explain the risks of your own operation.
For the family
Write down your questions, and bring someone who can take notes. Keep the images and the pathology report. After surgery, the guide to care at home will be useful.
Frequently asked questions
Are all brain tumours cancer?
No. Tumours are divided into non-cancerous and cancerous. A non-cancerous tumour grows slowly and is less likely to return. Even so, location matters, and every tumour needs checking.
Why can a surgeon sometimes not remove the whole tumour?
The aim is to remove as much as can be removed safely. If a tumour lies beside vital parts of the brain, removing all of it can do more harm than good.
How long will I live?
The outlook depends on the tumour type, location, age, the effect of treatment and your general health, and an overall figure means little for one person. Raise this question with a doctor who has seen your records.
Bring your images. We read them together.
Go to the booking page or talk to support. Bring the CD or film of your MRI and CT with you.