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  • Patients
  • Exploring cancer care
  • Conditions we treat
  • Brain cancer

Introduction

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Brain tumours

Learn more about brain tumours, including types, symptoms, risk factors, steps to diagnosis, and treatment options.

What is brain cancer?

What is a brain tumour?

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

Brain tumours may produce a number of different symptoms; these usually depend on the characteristics of the tumour and may include:3,6

  • Mild or severe seizures
  • Headaches
  • Weakness and reduction in function in parts of the body, such as the arms, legs or face
  • Loss of balance
  • Change in speech
  • Decreased or double vision, disturbed hearing , smell or taste
  • Difficulty with memory and concentration, and/or brain fog
  • General irritability, drowsiness or a change in personality
  • Nausea and vomiting

If you have one or more of these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are going to be diagnosed with a brain tumour. If you are unsure, speak with your GP or specialist if you have any concerns or questions.

The causes of brain tumours are not fully understood, however there are some factors which may increase the risk of developing a brain tumour may include:5

  • Advancing age
  • Family history of brain cancer
  • People exposed to very high doses of radiation to the head

Having one or many of these factors does not necessarily mean that you will be diagnosed with a brain tumour. If you are concerned, please speak with your GP or specialist to discuss any questions that you may have.

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Diagnosis

Diagnosing a brain tumour

There are several tests that doctors may perform to diagnose a brain tumour, these may include:7

  • A physical exam – this may include checking your vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength, and reflexes
  • Imaging scans - such as computerised tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) scan, positron emission tomography (PET) scan, or single photon emission CT (SPECT) scan
  • Lumbar puncture – also known as spinal tap uses a needle to collect cerebrospinal fluid, which is then examined for any cancer cells that may be present
  • Biopsy – a biopsy may be undertaken depending on the position of the tumour to help obtain a more definitive diagnosis of the type of tumour. This may be done separately to, or at the same time as, surgery to remove the tumour.
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Treatment options

Treatment options for a brain tumour

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:

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.

Uses high energy X-rays or other particles to treat cancer and can be used at all stages.

 

Radiation Therapy

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.

 

Chemotherapy

Sometimes recommended to help reduce inflammation around a brain tumour.

 

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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 about side effects and how to best manage them.

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Support services

Support services

Brain Foundation of Australia

The Brain Foundation funds Australian research on neurological disorders, aiming to improve diagnoses, treatments, and patient outcomes.

Visit website

Brain Tumour Alliance Australia

BTAA offers peer support to brain tumour patients, their carers, families, and friends. They provide resources for newly diagnosed patients and help with referrals to local support services.

Visit website

Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF)

The Mark Hughes Foundation raises much-needed funds for research, creates awareness and supports brain cancer patients and their families.

Visit website
  1. Mukherjee T, et al. Cancers (Basel) 2023;15(13):3523.
  2. Thau L, et al. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Anatomy, Central Nervous System. StatPearls Publishing; Oct. 2022. Available from: https: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542179/ (accessed March 2024).
  3. Cancer Council Australia. Understanding brain tumours. Available from: https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/brain-cancer/ (accessed March 2024).
  4. Waskan HA, et al. Neuro Oncol 2021;23(8):1371–1382.
  5. Walter and Eliza Institute [website]. Brain cancer. Available from: https://www.wehi.edu.au/research/diseases/brain-cancer/(accessed March 2024).
  6. Comell I, et al. Ann Transl Med 2017;5(13):269.
  7. Cancer Council Australia [website]. Test for brain tumours. May 2022 Available from: https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/brain-cancer/diagnosis/tests/ (accessed March 2024).
  8. Rasheed S, et al. Biomed Pharmacother 2021:143:112119.
  9. Amsbaugh, MJ., et al. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): brain metastasis. StatPearls Publishing; April 2023. Available from: https: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470246/ (accessed March 2024).
  10. Cancer Council Australia [website]. Cancer side effects. Available from: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/cancer-side-effects (accessed March 2024).
  11. National Cancer Institute. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Side Effects of Cancer Treatment [webpage}. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects (accessed March 2024).
  12. Cancer Council Australia [website]. Does cancer only cause physical changes? Available from: https://www.cancer.org.au/iheard/does-cancer-only-cause-physical-changes (accessed March 2024).
  13. Cancer Council Australia [website]. After a diagnosis. Available from:  https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/after-a-diagnosis# (accessed March 2024).

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Disclaimer:

This website is provided for information purposes only. Nothing on this website is intended to be used as medical advice, or to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It should not be used as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. Any medical procedure or treatment carries risks. Before proceeding with treatment, you should discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment with an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual treatment outcomes and experiences will vary.

This website is provided for information purposes only. Nothing on this website is intended to be used as medical advice, or to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It should not be used as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. Any medical procedure or treatment carries risks. Before proceeding with treatment, you should discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment with an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual treatment outcomes and experiences will vary.
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