Brain and spinal tumours
What is a brain or spinal cord tumour?
Brain and spinal cord cancer starts in the cells of the brain or spinal cord. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and risks in our guide.
Risks for brain and spinal cord tumours
Risks for brain and spinal cord cancer include radiation exposure and inherited conditions. Learn about brain and spinal cord cancer risk.
Symptoms of brain and spinal cord tumours
Symptoms of brain and spinal cord cancer vary depending on the location of the tumour. Learn about the symptoms of brain and spinal cord cancer.
Diagnosis of brain and spinal cord tumours
Tests to diagnose brain and spinal cord cancer, such as MRIs, are done when symptoms are present. Learn about diagnosing brain and spinal cord cancer.
Grading brain and spinal cord tumours
Grading is a way to classify brain and spinal cord cancer cells based on their appearance and behaviour when viewed under a microscope. To find out the grade of a tumour, a biopsy sample is examined under a microscope. A grade is given based on how the cancer cells look and behave compared with normal cells.
Staging brain and spinal cord tumours
Staging is a way to describe or classify a cancer based on how far the cancer has spread in the body. There is no standard staging system for brain and spinal cord cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) grading system is used to classify brain and spinal cord tumours in Canada.
If a brain or spinal cord tumour spreads
Cancer cells have the potential to spread from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body where they can grow into new tumours. This process is called metastasis. The tumours are also called metastasis (singular) or metastases (plural). Metastases are also called secondary tumours.
Prognosis and survival for brain and spinal cord tumours
People with brain and spinal cord cancer may have questions about their prognosis and survival. Prognosis and survival depend on many factors.
Treatments for brain and spinal cord tumours
Treatments for brain and spinal cord cancer include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Learn about treatment options for brain and spinal cord cancer.
Supportive care for brain and spinal cord tumours
Supportive care helps people meet the physical, practical, emotional and spiritual challenges of brain and spinal cord cancer. It is an important part of cancer care. There are many programs and services available to help meet the needs and improve the quality of life of people living with cancer.
Research in brain and spinal cord tumours
Research helps to find better ways to prevent, diagnosis and treat brain and spinal cord cancer.
Brain and spinal cord cancer statistics
The number of new cases of brain and spinal cord cancer and the number of deaths from it are estimated for all Canadians.