Treatment

Main treatments for a malignant brain tumour (brain cancer)

A malignant brain tumour (brain cancer) is often treatable. But it can be difficult to treat.

The treatment you have will depend on:

• the size and type of tumour you have
• where it is
• if it has spread
• your general health

It may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and medicines to help with the symptoms.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

• explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
• work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
• help you manage the side effects of treatment

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects that you're worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.

Surgery

Surgery is the main treatment for most types of malignant brain tumours.

Surgery may be used to:

• remove the tumour, or part of it
• take a sample of the tumour for testing (a biopsy)
• drain any build up of fluid on your brain (hydrocephalus) to help improve symptoms

You may not need surgery immediately if you have a very slow growing tumour that is not causing any symptoms.

Find out more

• Macmillan Cancer Support: surgery for a brain tumour

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays of radiation to kill cancer cells.

You may have radiotherapy for a malignant brain tumour:

• as the main treatment if the cancer is large or has spread
• after surgery, to help stop the cancer coming back

Radiotherapy for a malignant brain tumour is usually given from outside the body, where a machine is used to carefully aim beams of radiation at the cancer.

Find out more

• Macmillan Cancer Support: radiotherapy for a brain tumour

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.

You may have chemotherapy for a malignant brain tumour:

• after surgery, to help stop the cancer coming back
• if your brain tumour comes back

Sometimes chemotherapy is given with radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy).

Find out more

• Cancer Research UK: chemotherapy for brain tumours

Targeted medicines

Targeted medicines kill cancer cells.

Targeted medicines are sometimes used to treat certain types of brain tumours in children and young people over 1 year old.

Find out more

• Cancer Research UK: dabrafenib and trametinib

Medicines to help with symptoms

As well as other treatments to reduce the size of the tumour, you might be offered medicines to:

• help control seizures (fits)
• reduce swelling inside your brain
• control any pain

Find out more

• Cancer Research UK: controlling symptoms of brain tumours

What happens if you've been told your cancer cannot be cured

If you have advanced brain cancer, it might be very hard to treat. It may not be possible to cure the cancer.

If this is the case, the aim of your treatment will be to limit the cancer and its symptoms, and help you live longer.

Finding out the cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.

You'll be referred to a special team of doctors and nurses called the palliative care team or symptom control team.

They'll work with you to help manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.

The clinical nurse specialist or palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any support you need.

Find out more

• Macmillan Cancer Support: end of life care

Sexual Health Advice

• Sexual Health Advice - Introduction and Overview
• The MenB vaccine that helps protect against gonorrhoea
• Sexual Health - Mpox and its dangers for Gay Men
• What happens when you visit an STI Clinic
• Ejaculation issues are common sexual problems in men
• The Male Menopause for men in their late 40s to early 50s
• Help and care if you have been Sexually Assaulted
• Mental health issues and self-harm are common amongst gay men