Brain and Nerve Tumours

Brain tumours are abnormal growths in the brain that occur when cells divide uncontrollably. Some of them are benign (non-cancerous) while others are malignant (cancerous).

They can be broadly classified into primary brain tumours, which originate from within the brain, as well as secondary brain tumours, which occur when cancer from another part of the body spreads to the brain.

Learn more about brain tumours and treatment options available.

A medulloblastoma is a type of cancerous brain tumour that usually originates in the cerebellum.

Medulloblastomas are more commonly found in children compared to adults. It is classified as a form of primitive neuroectodermal tumour, which refers to a mass of abnormal cells that are undeveloped but eventually develop in the brain and spinal cord.

Learn more about medulloblastoma and its treatment options.

Glioblastoma is the most common and most aggressive form of primary brain tumour in adults. It originates from the supportive tissue of the brain known as astrocytes that surround and support neurons.

Glioblastomas are particularly challenging to treat due to their highly invasive and fast-growing nature.

Learn more about the causes of glioblastoma and its treatment options.

Astrocytoma is a type of brain tumour that originates from astrocytes, star-shaped cells that make up the supportive tissue of the brain.

These tumours are part of a group known as gliomas, and they can vary significantly in their behaviour, prognosis, and treatment needs.

Learn about the types of astrocytoma and its treatment options.

Craniopharyngioma is a rare type of non-cancerous (benign) brain tumour that typically occurs near the pituitary gland, a small organ that regulates vital body functions and hormonal balances.

Learn more about craniopharyngioma and its treatment options.

Neurofibroma is a type of benign (non-cancerous) tumour that arises from the nerve tissue. It is most commonly associated with the peripheral nervous system, which includes all nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord.

It is often linked to a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), although they can also occur sporadically, without any apparent genetic predisposition.

Learn more about neurofibroma and its treatment options.

Schwannoma, also known as neurilemmoma, is a typically benign tumour that originates from the Schwann cells, which form the sheath around peripheral nerves.

These tumours can develop anywhere in the body but are most commonly found in the head, neck, and extremities, including within the inner ear canal, where they are known as acoustic neuromas.

Learn more about the symptoms of schwannoma, and its treatment options.

Meningioma is a type of brain tumour that arises from the meninges, the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.

While the majority of meningiomas are benign (non-cancerous), they can vary in their growth rate and potential impact on surrounding neurological structures.

Learn more about meningioma and its treatment options.

Ependymoma is a type of tumour that originates in the ependymal cells lining the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. Ependymomas can occur at any age, but they are more commonly diagnosed in children and young adults.

Learn about the different grades of ependymoma and its treatment options.

A hemangioblastoma is a rare, typically benign tumour that arises from the vascular system, most commonly occurring in the brain and spinal cord. These tumours are highly vascular, meaning they contain many blood vessels, and are most often found in the cerebellum, retina, brainstem, or spinal cord.

Although hemangioblastomas are benign, they can significantly impact a patient's health.

Learn more about hemangioblastoma and its treatment options.

A teratoma, particularly an intracranial teratoma, is a rare tumour that commonly occurs in newborn babies and children but is very rarely found in adults.

It is a type of tumour which arises from germ cells, and can develop into various types of tissues, including fat, teeth, bone, and muscle.

Learn more about the different types of teratoma and their treatment options.

An awake craniotomy is open brain surgery to remove tumours or a section of the brain where seizures occur. These brain sections are often within, or close to, critical regions of your brain, and these regions typically control important bodily functions or your sensory and linguistic skills. This procedure is especially beneficial for some brain tumours and epilepsy.

Learn more about awake craniotomy and what to expect during the procedure.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a form of radiation therapy that accurately focuses hundreds of individual laser beams at a tumour. It is often used as an alternative therapy to chemotherapy, surgery, or other forms of radiation oncology to treat brain tumours.

Learn more about Gamma Knife radiosurgery and what to expect during the treatment.

Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volumetric arc therapy (VMAT), and tomotherapy further improve the shaping of a radiation dose to match the tumour shape, compared to 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT).

Learn more about intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and how to prepare for the treatment.

Proton beam therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy used by radiation oncologists to treat cancerous and some non-cancerous tumours. It uses high-powered energy particles known as protons instead of X-rays to directly deliver radiation to the tumours.

Proton beam therapy is often used as part of a treatment plan for cancer patients in conjunction with other surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy.

Learn more about proton beam therapy and how to prepare for the procedure.

Three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiation therapy uses 3D images on a computer. The images allow clinicians to shape beams of radiation around the shape and size of the tumour in a focused (conformed) way.

This treatment increases the chances of recovery as higher levels of radiation are more effective for shrinking and killing tumours.

Learn more about 3D-CRT and how to prepare for the therapy.

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a minimally invasive form of surgery that uses robotic technology to treat conditions such as throat cancer, obstructive sleep apnoea, and thyroid nodules or cancer.

Learn more about TORS and what to expect during the surgery.