What is a brain tumour?

A brain tumour is a growth of cells in the brain that multiplies in an abnormal, uncontrollable way. It can either be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).

Benign brain tumours grow slowly and are less likely to return after treatment. Malignant brain tumours either start in the brain (primary tumours) or spread into the brain from elsewhere (secondary tumours); they’re more likely to grow back after treatment.

Symptoms of a brain tumour

The symptoms of a brain tumour vary depending on the exact part of the brain that’s affected. Common symptoms include: severe, persistent headaches, seizures (fits), persistent nausea, vomiting and drowsiness, mental or behavioral changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality, progressive weakness on one side of the body, vision problems, or speech problems

Sometimes, you may not have any symptoms to begin with or they may only develop very slowly over time.

Treatment of a brain tumour

Initial treatment is likely to be surgery followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Physiotherapy is helpful for any movement problems, muscle weakness and difficulty walking.

Following a detailed assessment, your physiotherapist will set specific goals with you and plan a programme of treatment which may involve: hands on treatment and stretches, specific exercises, suggestions of equipment or aids, practical problem solving and advice to improve day-to-day situations.

How can Neurocare Physiotherapy help me?

At Neurocare, we are all highly specialised in treating neurological conditions, so you can be confident that your physiotherapist will have the necessary experience to provide you with the specialist level of treatment which you deserve.