Your health care team
If your general practitioner (GP) or another doctor suspects that you have a brain or spinal cord tumour, they will arrange the first tests to assess your symptoms. You will then be referred to a neurosurgeon, neurologist or neuro-oncologist, who will examine you and may do more tests.
If a tumour is diagnosed, the specialist will consider your treatment options. Often these will be discussed with other health professionals at what is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. During and after treatment, you will see a range of health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your care.
Health professionals you may see
- Neurosurgeon* – diagnoses and performs surgery for diseases and injuries of the brain and nervous system
- Neurologist* – diagnoses and treats diseases of the brain and nervous system that do not need surgery
- Neuro-oncologist* – diagnoses and treats tumours of the brain and nervous system; a neuro-oncologist may be a neurologist, medical oncologist or neurosurgeon
- Cancer care coordinator – coordinates your care, liaises with other members of the MDT and is an ongoing contact for you and your family throughout treatment; may also be a called a clinical nurse consultant (CNC) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- Nurse – administers drugs and provides care, information and support throughout treatment
- Medical oncologist* – treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy
- Radiation oncologist* – treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy
- Neuropathologist* – analyses tissue from brain or spinal cord tumours to identify the tumour type
- Dietitian – recommends an eating plan for you to follow while you are in treatment and recovery
- Social worker – links you to support services and helps you with emotional, practical or financial issues
- Neuropsychologist – assesses people with problems in thinking or behaviour caused by illness or injury (particularly to the brain) and manages their rehabilitation
- Psychologist and psychiatrist* – help you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment
- Rehabilitation specialist* – recommends and oversees treatment to help you recover movement, mobility and speech after treatment and return to daily life
- Physiotherapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist – assist with physical and practical problems, including restoring movement, mobility and speech after treatment, and recommending aids and equipment
* Specialist doctor
This information was last reviewed in April 2018
Support services
Coping with cancer?
Speak to a health professional or to someone who has been there, or find a support group or forum
Need legal and financial assistance?
Pro bono services, financial and legal assistance, and no interest loans
Looking for transport, accommodation or home help?
Practical advice and support during and after treatment
Cancer information
What is cancer?
How cancer starts and spreads
Dealing with the diagnosis
Common reactions to a cancer diagnosis and how to find hope
View our publications
Guides and fact sheets for people with cancer, their families and friends
