Brain tumours: treatment challenges and how to support patients who receive a diagnosis

Brain tumours are rare but survival rates are low, with most life-years lost of any cancer

• More than 11,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour in the UK each year and about half are cancerous
• The tumours are difficult to diagnose, with overlapping symptoms in common with conditions such as migraine or epilepsy
• A single point of contact, typically a clinical nurse specialist, can make a significant difference to patients’ experience of symptoms and emotional and mental health

Although brain tumours are rare, survival rates are low, resulting in the most life-years lost of any cancer,