Cancer Research UK logo.
SearchDonate
  • Search

Brain tumours

Treatment for children’s brain tumours

The main treatments for children’s brain  tumours are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As well as these treatment types, steroids have an important role in helping to treat brain tumours. 

Find out more general information about steroids

Decisions about treatment for children’s brain tumours

Your child’s multidisciplinary team work together to plan, deliver and support your child’s care. Find out how decisions about treatment are made.

Brain surgery for children

Surgery is a common treatment for a brain tumour. Find out why your child has surgery, who does it and other information.

After children’s brain surgery

After brain surgery your child usually goes to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or high dependency unit (HDU). Find out what's likely to happen during first few days after surgery.

Recovering after children’s brain surgery

Recovering from brain surgery can take some time, both in hospital and at home. Find out what to expect.

Radiotherapy and proton beam treatment for children’s brain tumours

Radiotherapy is a common treatment for children’s brain tumours. Find out what type of radiotherapy they might have, what happens before, during and after radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy for children’s brain tumours

Chemotherapy uses anti cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy can work well for some types of brain tumour. Find out when they might have it, the drugs used, how they have it and the side effects.

Last reviewed: 19 Dec 2022

Next review due: 19 Dec 2025

The Dangoor Education logo.

Dangoor Education

About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education

Patient Information Forum. Trusted Information Creator.
Plain English Campaign award.

Help and Support

An icon of a hand shake.

Questions for your doctor

What to ask your doctor about clinical trials.

An icon of two speech bubbles, indicating a conversation.

Cancer chat forum

Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.

An icon of a landline phone.

Nurse helpline

Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.