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Brain tumours at a glance

Brain tumours are not very common, and unlike many other cancers, does not usually spread to other parts of the body. It accounts for less than 2 per cent of all new cancers diagnosed in the UK.

Each year, there are nearly 2,500 new cases of brain cancer in men, and about 1,700 cases in women. In the UK, about 300 children are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year.

The brain is a soft spongy mass of nerve cells and supporting tissue. It controls every physiological system in the body and is responsible for our thoughts, language and emotions.

In the brain, any abnormal growth puts pressure on sensitive structures and may impair their function.

Click on the links below to find out more about brain tumours:

• Risks and causes
• Signs and symptoms
• Detection
• Treatment

If you are a patient looking for information on brain cancer, please visit our patient information website, CancerHelp UK

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Risks and causes

The following things affect a person's chances of developing a brain tumour.

Although brain tumours can occur at any age, like many cancers they get more common the older you get.

A very small percentage of brain tumours are related to known genetic conditions such as Von-Hippel Lindau syndrome.

There is an increased risk of developing a certain type of brain tumour called a cerebral lymphoma if the immune system is impaired. This can be a side effect of drugs used after organ transplantation. People with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are also at increased risk.

People who have been treated with radiotherapy to the head have a slightly increased risk of certain types of brain tumour.

You can find out more about what 'cancer risk' means in the 'Understanding 'risk'' section of this website.

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Signs and symptoms

Symptoms depend very much on the size of the tumour and where it is located within the brain.

General symptoms:

• headaches that are usually worse in the mornings but wear off as the day goes on (they tend to be persistent and severe)
• convulsions (fits or seizures), particularly in people over 40 and with no previous history of fits
• vomiting and/or nausea
• changes in personality, memory, mental ability, although these may only be subtle
• drowsiness and/or lethargy.

The following symptoms may also occur, depending on where in the brain the cancer is:

• blurred or double vision
• weakness, often one sided, in the arms or legs, stumbling or lack of co-ordination
• impaired memory
• slurring of speech or difficulty speaking
• difficulty swallowing
• problems with smelling and hearing
• inability of eyes to gaze upwards.

All of these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer. However, people who notice any symptoms should always see their doctor.

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Detection

Initially, the doctor will ask some questions and carry out an examination. This may include:

• questions about any previous medical problems, including those of family members
• questions about current symptoms
• tests to assess muscle and brain function (for example memory, vision, alertness, muscle strength, co-ordination)
• an eye examination to look for signs of increased pressure from a possible cancer
• a hearing test

A specialist may carry out further tests, such as:

• CT or MRI scans
• X-ray of the skull
• Blood tests
• Lumbar puncture
• Angiogram (arteriogram) - This test uses a dye to get an image of blood vessels near the cancer. It helps a surgeon to plan an operation.
• EEG (electroencephalography) - This is a painless test for the electrical activity of the brain. It helps the doctor to detect any abnormal activity.
• A biopsy

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Treatment

Treatment will usually take place in hospital. Often, doctors will use a combination of treatments. Treatment options will depend on the type, location, and size of the cancer, as well as on general health.

Before, or during treatment, doctors may give steroids to relieve any swelling of the brain. Drugs to prevent or control fits (seizures) may also be given.

The main treatments for brain cancer are:

This is usually the first treatment for brain cancer. If possible, the doctors will remove the entire cancer or as much as possible. For some types of brain cancer, surgery alone will be sufficient for successful treatment.

If the cancer is aggressive and spreads rapidly, doctors may slow down its growth with a combination of surgery (where possible) and radiotherapy.

Unlike other organs, the brain is protected by the 'blood-brain barrier'. Only some chemotherapy drugs can cross this system of thin membranes. Chemotherapy is not generally the initial treatment for brain cancer.

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