The brain is a vital and highly complex organ, with each region performing specific roles in controlling the nervous system. It is composed of billions of interconnected nerve cells that work together to regulate thoughts, movements, sensations, and essential bodily functions.
A brain tumour develops when cells in the brain grow abnormally and form a mass. Some tumours grow slowly and may not be cancerous, while others grow more quickly and require urgent medical care. Brain tumours can arise within the brain itself or develop in nearby structures such as the pituitary gland, brain stem, or the protective membranes surrounding the brain.
A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells within the brain or nearby structures. Tumours may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and can vary in size, growth rate, and impact on brain function.
Brain tumours are generally classified into:
Primary brain tumours, which originate within the brain itself.
Secondary (metastatic) brain tumours, which spread to the brain from cancers elsewhere in the body.
Cancers most commonly associated with brain metastases include lung, breast, and colorectal cancer.
Brain tumours are graded based on how quickly they grow:
Low-grade (Grades 1-2): Typically non-cancerous (benign) and tend to grow slowly.
High-grade (Grades 3-4): Cancerous (malignant) and generally grow more rapidly.
Grading helps doctors determine treatment options and prognosis.
In most cases, the exact cause of a brain tumour is unknown. However, certain factors may increase risk, including:
Age: Brain tumours can occur at any age, including in children, but they are more commonly diagnosed in older adults, particularly those aged 85 to 89 years.
Previous radiation exposure to the head: However, this is rare.
Genetic conditions or family history: Certain inherited conditions, including neurofibromatosis and Turner syndrome, are associated with a higher risk of brain tumours.
Symptoms depend on the tumour’s size and location. Common symptoms include:
Persistent or worsening headaches
Seizures
Memory or concentration problems
Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
Changes in vision, speech, or balance
Unexplained nausea, vomiting, or fatigue
Symptoms that persist or worsen should be medically evaluated.
Yes. Because different brain regions control different functions, symptoms often reflect the affected area.
Frontal lobe tumours
The frontal lobe is responsible for personality, behaviour, decision-making, and voluntary movement. Common symptoms of frontal lobe tumours include:
Weakness affecting one side of the body
Difficulty walking
Problems with speech or vision
Loss of sense of smell
Noticeable changes in behaviour or personality
Temporal lobe tumours
The temporal lobe plays a key role in memory formation and the processing of sounds and language. Common symptoms of temporal lobe tumours include:
Hearing difficulties
Short-term memory impairment
Auditory hallucinations, such as hearing voices
Speech and language difficulties
Parietal lobe tumours
The parietal lobe is involved in processing sensory information, spatial awareness, and the interpretation and storage of information. Common symptoms of parietal lobe tumours include:
Speech and language difficulties
Difficulty understanding spoken or written information
Problems with reading or writing
Reduced or loss of sensation affecting one part of the body
Occipital lobe tumours
The occipital lobe is responsible for visual processing and interpretation. Common symptoms of occipital lobe tumours include:
Changes or disturbances in vision
Difficulty recognising objects, sizes, or colours
Pituitary gland tumours
The pituitary gland regulates the production of hormones that control many essential body functions. Common symptoms of pituitary gland tumours include:
Infertility
Elevated blood sugar levels (diabetes mellitus)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Unexplained weight gain
Mood or emotional changes
Milk discharge from the breasts in individuals who are not breastfeeding
Brain stem tumours
The brain stem is essential for controlling vital functions, including breathing, heart rate, and basic motor coordination. Common symptoms of brain stem tumours include:
Double vision
Difficulty with speech and swallowing
Problems with walking, balance, and coordination
Spinal cord tumours
The spinal cord extends from the brain down the back and transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Common symptoms of spinal cord tumours include:
Loss of bowel or bladder control
Numbness or weakness affecting the limbs or other areas of the body
Pineal gland tumours
The pineal gland is responsible for the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep–wake cycles. Common symptoms of pineal gland tumours include:
Headaches
Double vision
Persistent tiredness or fatigue
Difficulty with walking or coordination
The diagnosis of a brain tumour is based on a combination of clinical assessment and diagnostic investigations. Your doctor will begin by reviewing your medical history and overall health, followed by a neurological examination to assess vision, hearing, balance, coordination, and reflexes. Blood tests may also be requested as part of the evaluation.
To confirm the diagnosis and obtain further detail, one or more of the following investigations may be performed.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI provides highly detailed images of the brain, allowing doctors to assess the tumour’s size, location, and surrounding structures. The procedure typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. Specialised MRI techniques, such as MR angiography and MR spectroscopy, may be used to evaluate blood vessels and chemical activity within the brain.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: A CT scan may be performed as an alternative to MRI, particularly in patients who are unable to undergo MRI, such as those with pacemakers. CT scans are useful for detecting changes in the skull, bleeding within the brain, or enlargement of the brain’s fluid-filled spaces (ventricles).
Biopsy: A biopsy is performed to determine whether a tumour is benign or malignant. Tissue samples may be obtained during surgery to remove the tumour or through a stereotactic biopsy, which involves inserting a needle through a small opening in the skull to collect tissue samples.
Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture): A spinal tap involves removing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from around the spinal cord. This test may be carried out if there is concern that tumour cells have spread to the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord (meninges).
Treatment depends on several factors, including the tumour’s size and location, its grade and type, and your overall health. Before starting treatment, your doctor will discuss the goals of care, potential side effects, and, where appropriate, options for palliative care.
Surgery: Surgery is one of the primary treatment options for brain tumours. The aim may be to remove the tumour completely or to reduce its size to limit further growth. Surgery may not be suitable if the tumour is located in areas of the brain that are not safely operable.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy tumour cells. It may be given before surgery to reduce tumour size, or after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of spread. Chemotherapy is sometimes used in combination with radiation therapy.
Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. Treatment may be directed at the tumour alone, the surrounding brain tissue, the entire brain, or the spinal cord. Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a specialised form of radiotherapy that delivers highly focused radiation beams to the tumour. It may be used as an alternative to surgery or chemotherapy and is suitable for both benign and malignant brain tumours, including tumours that have spread to the brain.
Palliative Care: Palliative care may be recommended when curative treatment is not possible or not advised. The focus is on relieving symptoms, improving comfort, and enhancing quality of life.
There are currently no proven ways to prevent brain tumours, and routine screening is not recommended for the general population. Genetic counselling may be advised for individuals with strong family history or inherited conditions.
If you experience persistent neurological symptoms such as seizures, ongoing headaches, unexplained weakness, or changes in memory or vision, early medical assessment is important.
Early diagnosis allows timely and appropriate treatment planning. At Prince Court Medical Centre, our experienced oncology and neurology teams work closely to provide comprehensive care from diagnosis to advanced treatment and long-term support.
Contact us today to book an appointment if you would like to learn more about brain tumour care.Be the first in line to receive the latest updates and promotions, delivered directly to your inbox.
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