When you hear the words “brain cancer,” your world might feel like it’s turned upside down. What’s next? What are your treatment choices? Can anything be done? The truth is—there’s more hope now than ever. Thanks to ongoing research and modern medicine, there are a range of treatment options that can be tailored to your specific condition.
Let’s walk through the most common—and promising—ways doctors treat brain cancer. We’ll keep it simple, real, and grounded in facts.
Choosing the Right Treatment: What Factors Matter?
Not all brain cancers are the same. So naturally, treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Doctors look at a few key things before deciding what plan might work best:
- Type of tumour – Is it primary (starting in the brain) or secondary (spread from another area)?
- Tumour grade – How aggressive or fast-growing is it?
- Location – Is it in an area that affects speech, movement, or vision?
- Patient’s age and general health – Can your body handle surgery or strong medications?
The goal? To remove or shrink the tumour, slow its growth, and help you live as well as possible—for as long as possible.
Surgery: The First Line for Many Brain Tumours
For many patients, surgery is step one. If the tumour is in a spot that’s safe to access, surgeons will try to remove as much of it as they can. Sometimes, they can take out the entire mass. Other times, just part of it—what doctors call a “debulking procedure.”
But here’s a question you might be wondering: Is brain surgery always risky?
Yes, there are risks—like infection, bleeding, or changes in brain function. But neurosurgeons use advanced techniques like intraoperative MRI or even perform surgeries while you’re awake (yes, really!) to protect critical parts of the brain like speech and movement.
Recovery can be challenging, but for many, surgery offers the best shot at controlling the tumour and easing symptoms fast.
Radiation Therapy: Targeting What Surgery Can’t Remove
If surgery isn’t an option—or if bits of the tumour remain—radiation steps in.
Radiation therapy uses powerful beams to destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing. It’s painless and usually done over a few weeks. You lie down, a machine rotates around your head, and… that’s it. No cutting. No needles.
There are different types of radiation, including:
- External beam radiation – the most common kind
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (like Gamma Knife or CyberKnife) – ultra-precise, used for small, deep tumours
- Proton therapy – a newer method with fewer side effects, but not available everywhere
Will it hurt? No—but you might feel tired, experience hair loss, or notice changes in thinking. Still, for many people, it helps reduce tumour size and improves symptoms like headaches or seizures.
Chemotherapy: Killing Cancer Cells Systemically
We’ve all heard the word “chemo.” But what does it really mean for brain cancer?
Chemotherapy uses drugs to target cancer cells. Some are taken by mouth, others by IV. The most commonly used chemo for brain tumours? Temozolomide (Temodar). It’s often paired with radiation for even better results.
Here’s the tricky part: Not all brain tumours respond well to chemo. And because of the blood-brain barrier—a protective shield around your brain—some drugs can’t even reach the tumour.
Side effects? Fatigue, nausea, lowered immunity, hair loss. But doctors often prescribe medications to help manage those.
Still, in the right cases, chemo can be a powerful weapon.
Targeted Therapy: Zeroing In on Specific Cancer Traits
Imagine if doctors could give you a treatment that only attacked your tumour and ignored healthy cells. That’s the idea behind targeted therapy.
These drugs are designed to block specific genes or proteins that help cancer grow. For example, a tumour with the BRAF mutation might respond to a targeted drug like dabrafenib.
Sounds amazing, right? It is. But here’s the catch: Not all tumours have a known target. That’s why genetic testing of the tumour is so important—it might unlock new treatment paths.
Immunotherapy: Activating the Body’s Defense System
Our immune system is smart—but cancer can trick it. Immunotherapy tries to “unmask” the cancer so your body can fight back.
Checkpoint inhibitors (like nivolumab) are a type of immunotherapy that have shown promise in some brain cancers, especially glioblastomas.
But we’re still early in the journey. Many patients don’t respond to these treatments yet, and more research is needed. Still, clinical trials are booming, and new drugs are on the horizon.
Hope is real.
Tumour Treating Fields (TTF): A Non-Invasive Option
Now here’s something completely different: Tumour Treating Fields (TTF).
This isn’t a drug or surgery. Instead, it’s a wearable device that sends low-intensity electrical fields into the brain to disrupt cancer cell division. You wear it on your shaved scalp, and it runs for most of the day.
The FDA has approved TTF for glioblastoma patients. It may sound odd—but studies show it can extend survival when used with other treatments.
Downsides? You’ll need to commit to wearing the device regularly, and it can cause skin irritation. But for many, it’s worth a try.
Rehabilitation After Treatment: Healing the Brain and Body
Treatment is just one part of the journey. After that comes recovery—and that’s not always easy.
Brain tumours can affect speech, movement, memory, or emotions. That’s where rehab teams come in:
- Physical therapy helps with balance and strength.
- Occupational therapy teaches new ways to handle daily tasks.
- Speech therapy works on talking, swallowing, or thinking skills.
Think of it as “retraining” your brain. With time, effort, and support—you can regain lost abilities or find smart ways to adapt.
Palliative and Supportive Care: Comfort and Quality of Life
Let’s be honest. Not every brain tumour can be cured. But that doesn’t mean nothing can be done.
Palliative care focuses on reducing symptoms and improving quality of life—whether you’re newly diagnosed or in later stages. It’s not about giving up. It’s about living better.
This might include:
- Managing pain
- Treating seizures
- Easing nausea or fatigue
- Supporting emotional health
A good care team treats the whole person—not just the tumour.
Clinical Trials: Accessing Cutting-Edge Treatments
What if your best option hasn’t been approved yet—but is being tested right now?
That’s where clinical trials come in. These research studies test new treatments, from novel drugs to gene therapy and personalised vaccines. You could be among the first to benefit from breakthroughs.
Ask your doctor if you qualify. Or check sites like clinicaltrials.gov. Just make sure you understand the risks and benefits before jumping in.
Sometimes, the future of medicine starts with people like you.
Integrative Therapies: Complementary Approaches That Help
No, these aren’t cures. But complementary therapies can help you feel better during treatment. That includes:
- Nutrition therapy – Eating well to stay strong
- Acupuncture – May ease nausea and pain
- Mindfulness or meditation – To reduce anxiety
- Massage therapy – Helps with tension and fatigue
The key is balance. Always talk to your doctor before starting anything new.
Final Thoughts: It’s About More Than Just Treating the Tumour
Treating brain cancer isn’t just about removing a mass or shrinking it with radiation. It’s about treating the whole person—body, mind, and soul.
Whether you’re facing surgery, exploring targeted therapies, or just trying to get through another round of radiation, know this: You are not alone. The road may be hard, but with the right care, support, and information—you can face it with strength.
References
- American Cancer Society. “Treatment of Adult Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors by Type.” American Cancer Society, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults/treating.html
- Mayo Clinic. “Brain Tumor Treatments.” Mayo Clinic, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-tumor/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350087
- National Cancer Institute. “Brain Tumor Treatment (Adult) (PDQ®)–Patient Version.” NCI, 2023. https://www.cancer.gov/types/brain/patient/adult-brain-treatment-pdq
- Novocure. “Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) for Glioblastoma.” Novocure.com, 2023. https://www.optune.com/