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Brain Cancer

What is brain cancer?

Brain cancer refers to an abnormal growth of cells in the brain which form a tumour. Tumours can start in the brain, or can develop from cancer that has spread from other parts of the body.

Primary brain tumours can either be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant.

  • benign: grow slowly and unlikely to spread to other parts of the body
  • malignant: cancerous tumour that grows rapidly and may invade other body parts

A brain tumour is usually diagnosed by conducting a number of tests, including a CT scan and an MRI.1

Signs and symptoms of brain cancer

The signs and symptoms of brain cancer can depend where in the brain the tumour is located, and may include: 2

  • Headaches that recur and intensify, especially in the morning
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Seizures or fits
  • Unexplained drowsiness​
  • Double vision, blurring or trouble seeing properly
  • Increasing difficulty with speech and hearing
  • Growing weakness in the limbs
  • Problems with hearing, balance and coordination
  • Marked changes in memory, concentration or alertness

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’s not known what causes tumours in the brain or spinal cord, however risk factors that are believed to influence the development of brain tumours include: 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 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 treatment can affect your sight, coordination, ability to think and carry-out critical functions needed for safe driving.10 It’s 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.

References

For a full list of references, click here.
  1. Brain cancer. (n.d). SingHealth. Retrieved on 4 June 2019 from https://www.singhealth.com.sg/patient-care/conditions-treatments/brain-cancer
  2. Brain and Skull Cancer. (2016). HealthXchange. Retrieved on 13 June 2019 fromhttps://www.healthxchange.sg/cancer/brain-skull-cancer/common-brain-tumour-symptoms
  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/
  9. Radiation therapy for brain cancer (2018). Cancer Council. Retrieved on 20th February 2019 from https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/brain-cancer/treatment/radiotherapy/
  10. 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/

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