At a glance
What it is
An abnormal growth of tissue in the brain — either primary (arising in the brain) or metastatic (spread from elsewhere).
Typical signs
New persistent headache, seizures, focal weakness or numbness, personality change, vision or balance disturbance.
How we treat it
Multidisciplinary: neurosurgery for resection, radiotherapy or radiosurgery for residual or inoperable disease, systemic therapy where indicated.
What brain tumour means
A brain tumour is an abnormal mass of cells inside or immediately around the brain. Not every tumour is cancer, and not every cancer that reaches the brain is dangerous in the same way. The critical distinctions are: is it primary or secondary; is it benign or malignant; and — most importantly clinically — where is it and what is it pressing on.
Two tumours of the same histology can have very different management if one is in silent brain territory and the other is next to the motor strip or speech area. The plan is made together with the patient after the imaging is reviewed in detail.
Two categories to distinguish
The most useful distinction at the first consultation is primary vs secondary — it dictates the workup, the specialists involved, and the tone of the conversation.
Type A
Primary brain tumour
- Arises within the brain or its coverings.
- Common examples: glioma, meningioma, pituitary adenoma, schwannoma.
- Grade and location drive the plan more than the label alone.
Type B
Metastatic brain tumour
- Cancer that has spread to the brain from another organ (lung, breast, melanoma, kidney, colon).
- Systemic disease workup is essential — the brain is not always the whole story.
- Radiosurgery is often the first-line brain treatment; surgery for symptomatic single lesions.
What we see in clinic
70%+
Meningiomas are benign; many are managed with observation
40%
Of adult brain tumours are metastatic in origin
5 yr
Survival for low-grade glioma with modern resection + radiation, in appropriately selected patients
Key facts
How it is treated
The four options are combined, not chosen. A meningioma might be watched, then resected years later. A metastatic lesion might get radiosurgery today and systemic therapy alongside. The plan is built for the specific tumour, in the specific patient.
Surgery
When resection changes the outlook
- Craniotomy and microsurgical resection
- Awake craniotomy near eloquent cortex
- Intra-operative neurophysiological monitoring
- Stereotactic biopsy where resection is not possible
Radiation
Focused or wide-field
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (gamma knife, LINAC)
- Fractionated radiotherapy for larger volumes
- Whole-brain radiotherapy in selected metastatic disease
Systemic therapy
For chemo-sensitive tumours
- Temozolomide for glioma
- Targeted therapy for metastatic disease of matched primary
- Corticosteroids to reduce peri-tumoral oedema
Observation
The right choice, often
- Serial MRI at increasing intervals
- Symptom monitoring
- Escalate only if the tumour grows or symptoms change
Cases are discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting before a definitive plan is offered — neurosurgery, oncology, radiology, and pathology in the same room.
Related reading
Acoustic neuroma
A slow-growing, non-cancerous tumour of the hearing and balance nerve. Treatment ranges from monitoring to microsurgery, depending on its size and effects.
Stroke
A medical emergency where blood flow to part of the brain stops, and every minute counts. We handle recovery and preventing another stroke.
Book a consultation
The secretary schedules first appointments during clinic hours; please have prior imaging, operative notes and a current medication list available at the time of the call.
This page provides general information about brain tumour and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment. If your symptoms are severe or worsening, contact a clinician promptly.