Brain Tumour Awareness Month: learn about main treatments including surgery, radiotherapy and Gamma Knife radiosurgery for tumours and neurological conditions.
Each March, Brain Tumour Awareness Month helps shine a light on brain tumours and the experiences of patients and families navigating diagnosis and treatment. It is also an opportunity to share reliable information about how care has evolved.
In recent decades, advances in imaging, neurosurgery and radiotherapy have significantly improved how brain tumours are diagnosed and managed.
For patients and carers researching treatment options, understanding the range of available approaches can make discussions with healthcare teams clearer and more reassuring.
A brain tumour occurs when cells within the brain or surrounding structures grow in an abnormal way. Tumours may be primary, meaning they originate in the brain, or secondary (metastatic), meaning they have spread to the brain from another part of the body.
Some tumours are benign (non-cancerous), while others are malignant (cancerous). Even benign tumours can cause symptoms depending on their size and location within the brain.
Common types of brain tumours and related conditions include:
Symptoms vary depending on the location of the tumour but may include persistent headaches, changes in vision or hearing, balance difficulties, seizures, or changes in cognitive function.
Accurate diagnosis typically involves imaging tests such as MRI scans and evaluation by specialists including neurologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists and radiologists.
Treatment planning for brain tumours has become increasingly personalised. A multidisciplinary team (MDT) usually reviews each case to recommend the most appropriate approach for the individual patient.
Modern treatment strategies may include:
Neurosurgery is often considered when a tumour can be safely removed. Surgical techniques and imaging technologies have improved significantly, allowing surgeons to operate with greater precision.
Surgery may be used to:
However, not all tumours are suitable for conventional surgery, particularly those located close to sensitive structures.
Radiotherapy uses carefully controlled doses of radiation to target abnormal cells. It may be used:
Traditional radiotherapy typically delivers treatment over multiple sessions across several weeks.
One of the most significant developments in brain tumour treatment is stereotactic radiosurgery.
Despite its name, radiosurgery does not involve conventional surgery. Instead, it delivers highly focused radiation to a precisely defined area, allowing clinicians to treat tumours while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy brain tissue.
This technique is commonly used for:
Because the treatment is extremely precise, stereotactic radiosurgery can often be delivered in a single session or a small number of treatments.
Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a specialised form of stereotactic radiosurgery designed specifically for treating conditions within the brain.
It uses multiple beams of radiation that converge on a defined target. Individually, each beam carries a low dose of radiation, but together they deliver a therapeutic dose to the tumour or lesion.
Key characteristics of Gamma Knife treatment include:
For many patients, the treatment is completed in a single day, and hospital stays are typically not required.
Gamma Knife radiosurgery may be recommended when:
A specialist team evaluates each case carefully to determine whether radiosurgery is appropriate.
The brain contains highly specialised structures responsible for functions such as movement, speech, vision and memory. For this reason, precision is essential when planning treatment.
Advanced technologies such as Gamma Knife radiosurgery allow clinicians to target treatment areas with remarkable accuracy. This can help reduce exposure to nearby healthy tissue and support better overall outcomes.
Improvements in imaging and computer-guided treatment planning have also enhanced clinicians’ ability to tailor therapy to the specific characteristics of each patient’s condition.
A brain tumour diagnosis can raise many questions, and it is natural for patients and families to seek information about potential treatment options.
Brain Tumour Awareness Month encourages open conversations and highlights the importance of evidence-based, trustworthy information.
Speaking with experienced specialists, asking questions and understanding available options can help patients feel more confident about their care pathway.
Centres of Excellence for Stereotactic Radiosurgery treatment of complex Brain Tumours
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