Your general practitioner (GP) or another doctor will arrange the first tests to assess your symptoms. If these tests do not rule out a tumour, you will usually be referred to a specialist, such as a neurosurgeon or neurologist. The specialist will examine you and arrange further tests.
If a tumour is diagnosed, the specialist will consider your treatment options. Often these will be discussed with other health professionals at what is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. During and after treatment, you will see a range of health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your care.
Health professionals you may see
| neurosurgeon | diagnoses and surgically treats diseases and injuries of the brain and nervous system |
| neurologist | diagnoses and treats diseases of the brain and nervous system, particularly those not requiring surgery; helps manage thinking and memory changes and seizures |
| radiation oncologist | treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy |
| radiation therapist | plans and delivers radiation therapy |
| medical oncologist | treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy and targeted therapy (systemic treatment) |
| cancer care coordinator, patient navigator | coordinate your care, liaise with other members of the MDT and support you and your family throughout treatment; a clinical nurse consultant (CNC) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) may also coordinate your care |
| nurse | administers medicines and drug therapies; provides care, information and support throughout treatment |
| pathologist, neuropathologist | analyse blood and tissue from the brain and spinal cord |
| rehabilitation specialist | recommends and oversees treatment to help you recover movement, mobility and speech after treatment and return to your usual activities |
| social worker | links you to support services and helps you with emotional, practical and financial issues |
| neuropsychologist | assesses people who have problems in thinking or behaviour caused by illness or injury (particularly to the brain) and manages their rehabilitation |
| psychologist, psychiatrist | help you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment |
| physiotherapist, occupational therapist | assist with physical and practical problems, including restoring movement and mobility after treatment, and recommending aids, devices and equipment |
| speech pathologist, speech therapist | help with communication, swallowing and speech after treatment |
| exercise physiologist | prescribes safe and effective exercise to help people with medical conditions restore or improve their overall health, fitness, strength and energy levels |
| palliative care specialists and nurses | work closely with the GP and cancer team to help control symptoms and maintain quality of life |
→ READ MORE: Brain cancer treatment
More resources
Prof Lindy Jeffree, Director of Neurosurgery, Alfred Health, VIC; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Prof Tamara Ownsworth, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Research Director, The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, QLD; A/Prof Hao-Wen Sim, Medical Oncologist, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Megan Trevethan, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapy – Cancer and Lymphoedema Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD; Chris Twyford, Cancer Specialist Nurse, Canberra Health Services, Cancer and Ambulatory Support, ACT; Dr Adam Wells, Clinical Academic Consultant Neurosurgeon, The University of Adelaide, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA.
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