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Brain Cancer

Brain cancer is where a collection of cells in the brain grow abnormally, resulting in a tumour.

What is brain cancer?

Brain cancer is where a collection of cells in the brain grow abnormally, resulting in a tumour.1 There are over 40 different brain tumours which can be divided into two groups; cancerous and non-cancerous (benign).2

Cancerous tumours – tend to be fast growing and can be either primary (originate within the brain) or secondary (having spread to the brain).1

Non-cancerous tumours – tend to be slower growing and don’t tend to spread to other areas of the body. Some tumours which begin as non-cancerous growths can become cancerous.1

Signs and symptoms of brain cancer

The signs and symptoms of brain cancer can depend where in the brain the tumour is located. However, some common symptoms of brain cancer include: 2

  • Changes in your senses (ie sight, smell, hearing and taste)
  • Difficulty with balance
  • Loss of memory and difficulty with speech
  • Headache, nausea and vomiting
  • Changes in personality such as irritability, anxiety or depression
  • Mild or severe seizures

Grading brain cancer

Tumours of the brain and spinal cord are usually given a grading number between 1 and 4 (I-IV) which determines its characteristics.5 Because brain and spinal cord cancers typically don’t spread to other areas of the body, a grading system, instead of the more common cancer staging system is used.5

  • Grades 1 and 2 – tend to be slow growing tumours and are often benign (non-cancerous)
  • Grades 3 and 4 – are faster growing tumours and tend to be cancerous

Treatment

Treatment for brain cancer

There are many different types of treatment for brain cancer. Your treatment will depend on you and your cancer. For more information and a full list of treatment options, click here.

Frequently asked questions

What causes brain tumours?

It is not known what causes tumours in the brain or spinal cord, however there are some factors which are thought to increase the risk for development of brain tumours: 3

  • Impaired immune function – can result in an increased risk of primary CNS lymphoma (cancer of the lymphocytes of the spinal cord and brain). Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell which is responsible for protecting the body from infection and disease.3

o   Impaired immune function can result from a virus, such as AIDs, or from organ transplants, however CNS Lymphoma is increasingly seen in people with healthy immune systems as well. 4

  • Genetic predisposition – in some cases of brain and spinal cord cancers there is a family link, although it is rare.3
  • Exposure to radiation – the development of brain tumours from radiation exposure is quite rare, and is most often seen in people who have had radiation to their head to treat other types of cancers, such as in children who are treated for leukemia.3
Does brain cancer and its’ treatment affect your ability to drive?

Brain cancer and its treatment can affect your sight, coordination, ability to think and carry-out critical functions needed for safe driving.10 Therefore it is important you discuss your cancer diagnosis and treatments with your specialist team, who will be able to assess and advise you on your medical fitness to drive.11

Where can I get more information about brain cancer?

Useful resources about brain cancer include:

References

For a full list of references, click here.
  1. Brain Tumours. (2017). HealthDirect. Australian Government Department of Health. Retrieved on 20th February 2019 from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/brain-cancer
  2. Brain Cancer. (2018). Cancer Council. Retrieved on 20th February 2019 from https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/brain-cancer.html
  3. Risk factors for brain and spinal cord tumours. (2017). American Cancer Society. Retrieved on 20th February 2019 from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
  4. Factsheet: Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma. (2012). Leukaemia Foundation. Retrieved on 20th February 2019 from https://www.leukaemia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Factsheet-Lymphoma-Primary-CNS.pdf
  5. Grading and prognosis for brain cancer. (2018). Cancer Council.  Retrieved on 20th February 2019 from https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/brain-cancer/diagnosis/staging-prognosis/
  6. Brain cancer treatment. (2018). Cancer Council. Retrieved on 20th February 2019 from https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/brain-cancer/treatment/
  7. Surgery for brain cancer (2018). Cancer Council. Retrieved on 20th February 2019 from https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/brain-cancer/treatment/surgery/
  8. Chemotherapy for brain cancer (2018). Cancer Council. Retrieved on 20th February 2019 from https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/brain-cancer/treatment/chemotherapy/
  1. Radiation therapy for brain cancer (2018). Cancer Council. Retrieved on 20th February 2019 from https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/brain-cancer/treatment/radiotherapy/
  2. Driving (2018). Cancer Council. Retrieved on 26th May 2019 from https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/brain-cancer/after-treatment/living-with-a-brain-tumour/driving/
  3. Medical fitness to drive. (2018). Queensland Government. Retrieved on 26th May 2019 from https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/update/medical/fitness

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