Understanding brain cancer: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

What is brain cancer?

A brain tumor is a group of abnormal cells that grows in the brain. Some brain tumors are cancerous (malignant), and some are not cancerous (benign). A brain tumor can start in the brain or in other parts of the central nervous system (CNS), like the spine or nerves in the head. The brain controls many important things, such as movement, feeling, thinking, speaking and memory. A tumor can make it hard for the brain to do these jobs well.1

What are the common symptoms of brain cancer?

A tumor anywhere in the brain can cause pressure inside your head. This can happen because the tumor is growing, the brain is swelling or the fluid in your brain (called cerebrospinal fluid) can’t flow like it should. When the pressure inside your head is high, you may have one or more of these symptoms:2

  • Headaches
  • Seizures
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Throwing up
  • Blurry vision
  • Trouble with balance
  • Changes in how you act or feel
  • Feeling very sleepy

Headaches that get worse over time are common for people with brain tumors, but most headaches are not caused by tumors.2

About half of people with brain tumors have seizures at some point. The kind of seizure you have depends on where the tumor is in the brain. Sometimes, a seizure is the first sign of a brain tumor. But most seizures are not caused by brain tumors.2

What are the types of brain tumors?

Scientists have identified more than 150 kinds of brain tumors.3

There are 2 main types of brain tumors:4

  • Primary brain tumors that begin in the brain.
  • Metastatic (secondary) brain tumors start in another part of the body, like the lungs or breasts, and then move to the brain. These are more common in adults than primary brain tumors. They are treated differently than primary brain tumors.

Doctors typically categorize primary tumors as:3

  • Glial (made of glial cells in your brain)
  • Non-glial (on or in the nerves, blood vessels and glands)
  • Benign (noncancerous)
  • Malignant (cancerous)

How is brain cancer diagnosed?

If your doctor thinks you might have a brain tumor because of your symptoms, you will need some tests to get a diagnosis. These tests may include:5

  • A physical checkup, including an evaluation of your nervous system and brain
  • Imaging of your brain, like MRI scans
  • Taking a small sample (biopsy) from the tumor

You might also see a doctor who specializes in brain and nerve problems, like a neurologist or a brain surgeon. They may order more tests.5

What are the treatment options for brain cancer?

There are different ways to treat tumors in the brain, such as:6

  • Surgery — removing the tumor with an operation
  • Radiation therapy — using strong rays to shrink the tumor
  • Chemotherapy or other medicines
  • Targeted therapy — special drugs that attack certain tumor cells
  • Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) therapy — using electrical fields to slow down the tumor

Doctors often use more than one kind of treatment. The course of treatment depends on things like: 6

  • The type of tumor you have
  • How big the tumor is and where it is
  • If the tumor has spread
  • If the tumor cells have certain gene changes
  • Your age and health

Living with brain cancer

Here are some tips to help you with your brain tumor diagnosis:7

  • Stay involved with family, friends or community groups where possible
  • Complement your treatment with exercise and a healthy diet
  • Seek out support groups in your community

Frequently asked questions about brain cancer