In this section we look at the treatment options for people diagnosed with brain cancer.
Learn more about:
- Overview
- Treatment options
- Making treatment decisions
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Steroids
- Palliative treatment
Overview
The treatments you are offered for a brain or spinal cord tumour will depend on:
- the type, size, grade, location and genetic make-up of the tumour
- your age, medical history and general state of health
- the types of symptoms you have
- the aim of treatment – whether to remove as much of the tumour as possible; to slow the tumour’s growth; or to relieve symptoms by shrinking the tumour and reducing swelling.
Treatment options
For a benign tumour, surgery may be the only treatment needed. For a malignant tumour, treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, which may be used alone or together. Medicines, such as steroids or anticonvulsants, may be given to reduce symptoms. You may also be able to have new or modified treatments through a clinical trial.
→ READ MORE: Brain cancer surgery
Podcast: Making Treatment Decisions
Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer
More resources
A/Prof Lindy Jeffree, Neurosurgeon, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD; Emma Daly, Neuro-oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Cabrini Health, VIC; A/Prof Andrew Davidson, Neurosurgeon, Victorian Gamma Knife Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC; Beth Doggett, Consumer; Kate Fernandez, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Melissa Harrison, Allied Health Manager and Senior Neurological Physiotherapist, Advance Rehab Centre, NSW; A/Prof Rosemary Harrup, Director, Cancer and Blood Services, Royal Hobart Hospital, TAS; A/Prof Eng-Siew Koh, Radiation Oncologist, Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital and University of New South Wales, NSW; Andy Stokes, Consumer.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
