Neurological Program

Tumours that start in the brain are called primary brain tumours. Some types of brain tumours are benign and some are malignant. A benign tumour is made of slow-growing cells and is unlikely to spread. However, a benign tumour may cause problems because it takes up space inside the skull. It may press on the brain or important nerves that come out of the brain (called cranial nerves). The pressure may affect the normal function of these structures. It may raise the pressure in the skull and cause headaches and/or nausea. It is common for begnin brain tumours to be treated successfully. Types of benign brain tumours include:

• Meningiomas, which grow from the meninges (brain coverings)
• Neuromas, which grow from nerves
• Pituitary tumours, which grow from the pituitary gland at the base of the brain
• Carnio-pharyngiomas, which grow from structures just above the pituitary
• Juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas, a type of glial cell tumour which grows from the supporting cells of the brain.

Tumours are less common in the spinal cord than in the brain. A tumour in the spinal cord will affect the spinal cord by pressing on it. This may stop the flow of messages along the nerves between the brain and body and can affect the control of some parts of the body. Most commonly, this can cause difficulty with using the arms or legs or difficulty controlling the bladder or bowel. There may also be changes to the feeling in the skin.

Tumours may start in the spinal cord itself or grow from the coverings of the spinal cord. They can be begnin or malignant. Like brain tumours, they are named for the type of cell from which they grow.

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What should you expect from treatment?
 

Your specialist will have discussed and chosen an appropriate course of treatment and could include one of or a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and drug therapy (medical oncology).

Radiation therapy
 

Usually the radiation, following the simulation and planning appointment, is given daily 5 days a week over a period of about 5 weeks. Each appointment takes only 15-20 minutes. As with all programs, these figures are a guideline only and you should speak with your medical advisers as to the program best suited to you.

Medical Oncology
 

Chemotherapy is usually given as a series of sessions of treatment. Each session is followed by a rest period. The session of chemotherapy and the rest period is known as a cycle of treatment. A series of cycles makes up a course of treatment. Each session of chemotherapy destroys more of the cancer cells, and the rest period allows the normal cells and tissues to recover. Healthy cells in certain parts of the body are especially sensitive to chemotherapy drugs; these parts of the body include:

• the bone marrow (which makes blood cells)
• the hair follicles
• the lining of the mouth
• the digestive system.
   

Oncology surgery
 

Surgery as a treatment modality is quite tumour specific and therefore we recommend information should be sought from your specialist regarding oncology surgery.

How to make a referral
 

A referral can be made to one of the Neurology tumour program members directly or via phone/ email through our Contact Us page.