Treatments
Brain cancer treatment is complex and highly individual and may involve surgery, radiotherapy, drug therapies or a combination of approaches. Understanding the different treatment types can help you prepare for discussions with your healthcare team.
Overview
Treatment depends on the exact diagnosis and the person’s individual circumstances. Depending on the tumour, options may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, other drug therapies, active monitoring or supportive care. A clinical trial may also be discussed where an appropriate study is available.
The treating team considers factors such as:
- the tumour type, grade and molecular features
- its size, location and behaviour over time
- the person’s symptoms, age, general health and other medical conditions
- the likely benefits, risks and side effects of each approach
- the person’s goals, preferences and circumstances
For some tumours, the recommended approach may be active monitoring rather than immediate treatment. This involves regular clinical reviews and imaging. Treatment may be reconsidered if scans, symptoms or other clinical findings change.
Medicines such as corticosteroids or anti-seizure medicines may also be prescribed to help manage particular symptoms or complications.
Choosing the Right Treatment for You
Your healthcare team should explain the purpose of each option, its possible benefits and risks, potential side effects, available alternatives and what may happen without immediate treatment.
You can ask questions, request time to consider the information where clinically appropriate and seek a second opinion. You also have the right to accept or refuse a treatment. Decisions should reflect the clinical evidence as well as your goals, preferences and circumstances.
For practical guidance on preparing for appointments, weighing options and talking with your care team, visit Treatment Options in our Support Hub.
Types of Treatment for Brain Cancer
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer medicines to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth. Whether chemotherapy is recommended, which medicine is used and when it is given depend on the tumour type and the individual treatment plan.
It may be used on its own or in combination with surgery or radiotherapy. The treating team will explain the purpose of treatment, how it is given and the possible side effects.
Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to damage tumour cells and limit their ability to grow. Treatment is carefully planned to target the tumour while limiting the dose received by nearby healthy tissue.
Healthy tissue can still be affected, so the recommended technique, treatment schedule and possible side effects depend on the tumour and the area being treated.
Surgery may be used to obtain tissue for diagnosis, relieve pressure or remove as much of a tumour as can be achieved safely.
Whether surgery is suitable and how much tumour can be removed depend on factors such as the tumour’s type and location, its relationship to important brain structures and the person’s overall health.
Immunotherapy aims to help the immune system recognise or attack tumour cells. It is not currently standard treatment for most primary brain tumours.
Immune-based treatments may be considered for selected diagnoses or offered through a clinical trial. Availability and suitability depend on the tumour type, previous treatment, trial criteria and the person’s circumstances.
Standard of care is the treatment generally accepted as appropriate for a particular diagnosis based on the available evidence, clinical expertise and relevant guidance.
There is no single standard treatment for every brain tumour. The recommended approach varies according to the tumour type and molecular features, the person’s circumstances and whether the tumour is newly diagnosed or has returned.
Brain cancer treatment may cause physical, cognitive, emotional or functional side effects. The type, timing and severity vary according to the treatment, tumour location and individual circumstances.
Your healthcare team can explain what to expect, how side effects will be monitored and when to seek medical advice. Practical guidance is also available for managing ongoing symptoms.
If you are preparing for treatment discussions, our Support Hub can help you organise questions, consider what matters to you and understand the practical support available.