LOC at Chelsea
102 Sydney Street SW3 6NJ London
Brain tumours
Primary brain tumours. There are two different types of primary brain tumour; non-cancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant)
Types of brain tumour
Glioma
Gliomas start in the glial cells. There are three main types; astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and ependymoma. The tumour can be a mix of more than one type.
Meningioma
Meningiomas develop in the layers of tissue that surround the brain and spinal cord. They are usually benign and typically grow very slowly.
Craniopharyngioma
Craniopharyngiomas generally occur above the pituitary gland. This is found in a small hollow behind the eyes. This pea-sized gland controls many physical and hormonal functions.
Germ cell tumours
Germ cell tumours that develop in the brain are rare, as they typically develop in the ovaries or testicles. They are called extragonadal germ cell tumours.
Pituitary tumours
Pituitary tumours develop in the pituitary gland, which lies in a small hollow just behind the eyes. They are usually benign, meaning they grow slowly and don’t spread.
Uncertain or unknown brain tumours
Sometimes it may be impossible to diagnose a tumour, due either to the complexity of accessing it within the brain or due to the cells it is made up of being unknown.
Secondary tumours
Secondary tumours are cancers that spread to the brain from another part of the body. This is more likely to happen with some types of lung, breast, bowel, kidney and skin cancer.
Tumours grades
Tumours are classified by type and grade (how slowly or quickly it grows).
An outline of the grading is as follows:
- Grade 1 - Benign tumours, where the cells are only marginally abnormal and tend to grow very slowly
- Grade 2 - Malignant tumours, where the cells appear abnormal in comparison to unaffected brain cells
- Grade 3 - Malignant tumours, where the cells are significantly abnormal in appearance and actively growing
- Grade 4 - Malignant tumours, where the cells are highly abnormal and grow rapidly.
Need to know
Symptoms of a brain tumour can be caused by the tumour itself or by the impact of pressure caused by swelling in the brain. The tumour’s location, or where the pressure occurs, determines the type of symptoms.
Common symptoms of brain tumours include:
- headaches
- seizures
- drowsiness
- nausea and/or vomiting
- loss of sight or impaired vision
Depending on where the brain tumour occurs you may experience other symptoms.
Whilst there are many other reasons that can cause these symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the above.
If your consultant suspects a brain tumour, it is important that diagnostic tests are done quickly to determine the cause of your symptoms. If your symptoms are not related to a brain tumour, we can refer you to our other medical services and can provide quick access to the appropriate specialist. Diagnostic tests may include:
- full medical examination
- blood tests with access to advanced pathology laboratories
- CT / PET CT scan
- 3T MR/MRI scan
If these tests diagnose a tumour then a second phase of tests will be carried out to establish the type and grade of the tumour and the appropriate treatment. You may require a biopsy and/or surgery. Throughout this process your consultant will keep you up-to-date with the results of each test, explain the results to you and advise on next steps and treatment plans.
At HCA UK we provide a wide range of specialist and advanced treatments. Your consultant will discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with you in detail and help you make an informed decision about your care. Brain tumours are traditionally treated with surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, depending on the type and location of the tumour. These treatments may be used in isolation or as part of a combined treatment plan:
- combination therapy (chemotherapy and radiotherapy)
- intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
- immunotherapy
- clinical trials
State-of-the-art intraoperative MRI for neurosurgery
As part of HCA Healthcare UK’s continued investment in the latest medical technology, The Wellington Hospital’s Neurosurgery Centre is now equipped with an intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) scanner and fully integrated digital theatre.
The iMRI scanner allows surgeons to carry out an intraoperative MRI scan of their patient’s brain during their surgery. This gives the surgeon confidence that they have achieved their treatment goal. It also provides our patients with the best possible chance of tumours being removed fully without the need for further surgery.
Our Brain tumours locations
The Wellington Neurological Rehabilitation Centre
The Wellington Hospital North Building NW8 6PD London
LOC at The Harley Street Clinic
81-83 Harley Street W1G 8PP London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.