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CANCER - The Brain - Treatment

Primary tumours
In primary brain tumours, surgical removal is usually the best treatment if this is possible.

Sometimes a biopsy is necessary before surgery to determine which kind of brain tumour is present. Most often tissue for looking at under the microscope is obtained at the same time as the main operation.

If a tumour has been incompletely removed or if the surgeon is concerned that there may be any cancer cells left behind, then radiotherapy will usually be used after the operation.

Chemotherapy may be used along with the radiotherapy to improve its effects.

Where surgery is not possible, radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy is used as the main treatment.

Secondary tumours
The treatments of secondary brain tumours will depend on the type of primary cancer involved, the extent and position of the secondaries within the brain, and whether or not there are other secondaries elsewhere in the body.

Occasionally if there are just one or two spots of cancer in the brain and no disease elsewhere in the body, surgery may be used to remove the spots of cancer. It will then usually be followed by radiotherapy.

More commonly, radiotherapy - usually to the whole head - is given, to shrink and control the secondary brain tumours. Depending on the type of cancer, it may also benefit from chemotherapy or hormonal treatment. With secondary brain tumours the aim of treatment is to improve symptoms and to prolong good quality life.

In addition, in both primary and secondary brain tumours, treatment for particular symptoms such as anticonvulsants to prevent epileptic fits and steroids for raised pressure in the brain may be necessary.

Your doctor will plan your treatment taking into account the type and position of the tumour, your age, medical history and general state of health. A number of specialists including a neurosurgeon, neurologist, oncologist and radiotherapist may be involved at different stages in your care, depending on the treatment planned.

Your doctor will discuss the best treatment with you. You may find other patients at the hospital are having different treatments. This may be because they have a different type of tumour or it is in a different part of the brain. If you have any questions about your own treatment, don't be afraid to ask your doctor or ward nurse.

Some people find it helpful to have another medical opinion to help them decide about their treatment. Most doctors will be willing to refer you to another specialist for a second opinion if you want.