Neurosurgery is an operation on the brain. This is usually the first step in the treatment for most types of brain tumours and is often called a resection, and can be full or partial. The aim is to remove as much of the tumour as possible whilst avoiding any damage to other parts of the brain.

Radiotherapy for brain tumours is the use of high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. It is usually delivered using a large machine outside the body, with beams of radiation being targeted as closely as possible to the exact shape of the tumour: known as ‘external beam radiotherapy’ (EBRT).

Chemotherapy consists of drugs, most commonly taken either in tablet form or as a liquid infused into the veins during a hospital visit. Chemotherapy can be used alone to treat some types of brain tumour, but is more commonly prescribed after surgery and/or radiotherapy has reduced the tumour size.

Steroids are commonly given to reduce and prevent inflammation around a brain tumour, particularly after surgery or during radiotherapy. The inflammation causes oedema, which is when plasma-like fluid builds up in the spaces between brain cells.