Treatment for brain and spinal cord tumours
You have regular appointments with your doctor or nurse after treatment finishes. This is called follow up.
You also have tests including blood tests, x-rays and scans. Over time, these appointments might become less frequent.
You usually have follow up appointments to check how you are and see whether you have any problems or worries. The appointments also give you the chance to raise any concerns you have about your progress.
How often you have follow up depends on:
your brain tumour type
the treatment you have had
your side effects
whether you have a low grade (slow growing) or a high grade (fast growing) tumour
At first, it's likely that you will see your doctor every few weeks. The appointments gradually become less frequent if you don't have any problems.
Find out more about how often you have check ups for your type of brain tumour
Your doctor or nurse may examine you at each appointment. They ask how you are feeling, whether you have had any symptoms or side effects, and if you are worried about anything.
You might also have tests at some visits. The tests may include:
blood tests
MRI scans
You usually have regular MRI scans after your treatment finishes. MRI scans can help to find whether the brain tumour has come back or started to grow again. How often you have MRI scans depend on your individual situation.
Find out about having MRI scans
You might have your check ups at the surgical outpatients' clinic if you have had brain surgery. You go to the cancer clinic if you have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The surgeon and the oncologist might share your follow up. This means that you see the surgeon sometimes and the oncologist at other times.
It is normal to worry about your health when your treatment is over. You might have had close contact with your treatment team for a long time. Less frequent appointments can make you feel like you are on your own.
Contact your doctor or specialist nurse if you have any concerns between appointments. You should also contact them if you notice any new symptoms. You don’t have to wait until your next visit.
Many people find their follow up appointments quite worrying. A hospital appointment can bring back any anxiety you had about your cancer.
It can help to tell someone close to you how you’re feeling. Sharing your worries can mean they don’t seem so overwhelming. Many people find it helpful to have counselling during or after cancer treatment.
Read about counselling and how to find a counsellor
You can also find people to share experiences with by using our online forum, CancerChat.
Last reviewed: 21 Apr 2023
Next review due: 21 Apr 2026
Practical and emotional support is available to help you cope with a brain or spinal cord tumour.
Treatment for a brain or spinal cord tumour depends on the type of tumour you have, where it is and your general health.
Primary brain tumours are tumours that start in the brain. They can start anywhere in the brain and there are many different types of tumour.
Common symptoms of brain tumours include headaches, feeling or being sick and seizures (fits).
Survival depends on different factors such as the type, position and grade of your brain or spinal cord tumour.
Primary brain tumours are cancers that start in the brain.
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