Brain Cancer FAQs
We’re here to support you. Please explore our frequently asked questions below and if you need further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.
FAQs About Brain Cancer
What are the main types of brain cancer and how are they treated?
There are several subtypes of brain cancer, each with distinct characteristics and behaviours.
In adults, the most common malignant brain tumour is glioblastoma (GBM), which is aggressive and fast-growing. In children, the most common malignant brain tumour is medulloblastoma, which arises in the cerebellum.
Other brain tumours include astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, and diffuse midline gliomas (DMG). Diagnosis and treatment depend on the tumour type, its location in the brain, and the age of the patient.
Why is brain cancer so difficult to treat?
There are several reasons why brain cancer is especially challenging to treat. The brain is a highly sensitive and complex organ, so tumours are often located in areas where surgery can risk damaging healthy tissue responsible for vital functions. The blood-brain barrier also limits the delivery of many drugs to the brain, reducing the effectiveness of some chemotherapies. In aggressive cancers like glioblastoma, tumour heterogeneity — where different parts of the tumour contain different genetic mutations — makes it difficult to target all cancer cells with a single therapy.
Do alternative or natural therapies work for brain cancer?
There is no scientific evidence that alternative therapies can cure brain cancer. However, some complementary therapies may help manage side effects and symptoms, reduce anxiety, and improve quality of life.
Examples include acupuncture for nausea and pain, mindfulness practices for stress reduction, and oncology massage for relaxation. Dietary approaches like the ketogenic diet have shown early promise in glioblastoma, but current evidence is limited and inconclusive. These interventions should never replace evidence-based care, and some may interfere with standard treatments.
Always speak with your medical team before trying any complementary or dietary therapy to ensure safety and appropriateness for your condition.
Why do I hear stories of people who beat brain cancer with alternative treatments?
These stories often represent rare cases and are more visible than the many who do not survive without treatment. This is known as survival bias. While hope is important, decisions should be guided by evidence, not anecdotes.
How do I evaluate claims I see online about brain cancer cures?
Look for evidence from reputable medical institutions or peer-reviewed research. Be cautious of bold claims, miracle cures, or anyone discouraging conventional treatment. If in doubt, ask your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.
How do I know a treatment isn’t being suppressed because it isn’t profitable?
The development and approval of medical treatments is a highly regulated process involving researchers, clinicians, ethics committees, and government regulators.
While commercial interests can shape which treatments are prioritised for development, there is no credible evidence that effective therapies are being deliberately hidden to protect profits. Regulatory agencies like the TGA (Australia), FDA (USA), and EMA (Europe) require all new treatments to undergo rigorous clinical trials and public reporting.
Independent oversight, trial registries, and global transparency initiatives help ensure that both positive and negative trial results are made publicly available. While industry influence exists, multiple layers of scientific scrutiny and public accountability reduce the risk of intentional suppression.
Why is survival so poor for brain cancer compared to other cancers?
Brain cancer is classified as a “less common cancer” in Australia, with an annual incidence of 7.4 cases per 100,000 people in 2024. Cancers with higher incidence often benefit from stronger advocacy networks, dedicated research funding, and in most cases, better survival outcomes. These advantages tend to reinforce each other over time, drawing more public attention and institutional support.
In contrast, brain cancer faces multiple structural disadvantages: lower incidence limits visibility; poor prognosis deters commercial investment; and a lack of long-term survivors reduces advocacy capacity. These factors combine to marginalise brain cancer in both public discourse and research priorities, despite its high lethality and impact on younger populations.
What are clinical trials, and should I consider one?
Clinical trials are research studies that test new ways to prevent, detect, treat, or manage cancer. For many people with brain cancer, clinical trials can provide access to innovative therapies not yet widely available.
Trials are carefully regulated and designed to protect participants’ safety while helping advance scientific knowledge. If you’re considering joining a trial, it’s important to speak with your care team to determine what options might be appropriate for your diagnosis, treatment history, and preferences.
More detailed information about clinical trials — including what they are, how they work, and how they relate to the standard of care — is available on our dedicated page.
FAQs About Research
How does Cure Brain Cancer Foundation decide what research to fund?
We fund research based on scientific merit, potential patient impact, feasibility, and innovation. All funding decisions are guided by our Scientific Advisory Committee and in alignment with our strategic goals.
How do you measure the impact of the research you fund?
We track progress through research milestones, publications, trial activation, clinical implementation, and improved patient access. We also assess long-term influence on treatment practices.
Does Cure Brain Cancer Foundation support international research or only Australian-based projects?
We prioritise Australian-led research but support international collaboration when it aligns with our goals and benefits Australian patients.
Why is supporting Cure Brain Cancer Foundation the best way to back brain cancer research?
Cure Brain Cancer Foundation is committed to curing brain cancer, but we recognise that this will take time. We focus on increasing survival and improving the quality of life for people with brain cancer and as such, our approach spans the entire therapeutic pipeline. This involves supporting early career researchers with funding and resources to catalyse breakthrough discoveries, to funding clinical trials that bring promising therapies to patients faster and collaborating with our partners on innovative research projects across the brain cancer landscape.
At the same time, we provide support to those affected by brain cancer through the National Advocacy Service. This holistic approach ensures that while we work toward a cure, we’re also making a tangible difference for patients and their families right now.
Why should people believe that research will make any difference now?
Our understanding of brain cancer has advanced significantly in recent years, and while this hasn’t yet led to large-scale improvements in survival, it has laid a foundation for meaningful change. Tumours are now classified by their molecular profile, not just their location or histology, enabling more precise targeting.
New therapeutic strategies are emerging: IDH inhibitors like vorasidenib — the first brain cancer drug approved in nearly two decades — have shown promise in slowing tumour progression in low-grade gliomas. PARP inhibitors and DDR (DNA damage response) inhibitors are being trialled for specific molecular subtypes, offering tailored approaches where one-size-fits-all treatments have failed.
Meanwhile, technologies like CAR T-cell therapy, implantable devices such as SonoCloud-9 to bypass the blood-brain barrier, and adaptive Bayesian trial designs are changing how we test and deliver treatments.
Looking for information about making a donation or fundraising for Cure Brain Cancer Foundation? Visit our Fundraising FAQs page.