Skip to main content

Together we are beating cancer

Donate now

Brain (and spinal cord) tumours

There are around 12,100 people diagnosed with a tumour in the brain or central nervous system (CNS) each year in the UK. Brain and spinal cord tumours can affect children and adults and common symptoms include headaches, feeling or being sick and seizures (fits).
Showing 12 out of 168 results
Confocal micrograph of highly invasive tumour cells derived from a rare paediatric brain tumour.

A discovery at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute could finally lead to an immunotherapy for treating multiple types of brain tumours in children and young people. A discovery at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute could finally lead to an immunotherapy for treating multiple types of brain tumours in children and young people.

by Sophie Wedekind | Analysis | 18 March 2026

18 March 2026

A group of microscopic glioblastoma cells against a black background. The cells are coloured red, with their steroid receptors marked in green.

Our researchers have found that steroids, vital tools for managing brain tumour symptoms, could also make glioblastomas vulnerable to a special diet. Our researchers have found that steroids, vital tools for managing brain tumour symptoms, could also make glioblastomas vulnerable to a special diet.

by Fiona MacLeod, Tim Gunn | Analysis | 20 February 2026

20 February 2026

A profile image of a brain taken using an MRI scanner, which is used to diagnose brain tumours in children. The brain appears pink and light blue. The subject's head, face and neck are also visible in a darker blue.
  • Science & Technology
  • Health & Medicine

From brain scans to better treatments

Our researchers have found a way to fully diagnose medulloblastoma, a type of childhood brain tumour, much faster, so doctors can make the best treatment decisions from the start. Our researchers have found a way to fully diagnose medulloblastoma, a type of childhood brain tumour, much faster, so doctors can make the best treatment decisions from the start.

by Emily Farthing | In depth | 13 November 2025

13 November 2025

This entry is part 6 of 6 in the series Stand Up To Cancer
Pictures of Taylor, Zaid and Eilidh in hospital during their cancer treatment.

Four teenagers and young adults tell us what it's like to receive a lifechanging cancer diagnosis while your life is still taking shape. Four teenagers and young adults tell us what it's like to receive a lifechanging cancer diagnosis while your life is still taking shape.

by Tom Bourton, Tim Gunn | Personal stories | 4 April 2025

4 April 2025

Lucy Brooks

Dr Lucy Brooks talks glioblastoma microenvironments and her excitement around potential new treatments Dr Lucy Brooks talks glioblastoma microenvironments and her excitement around potential new treatments

by Phil Prime | Interview | 30 October 2024

30 October 2024

Brain scans

A pioneering UK-wide trial, the 5G trial, has been awarded over £3m, by Cancer Research UK and the Minderoo Foundation, to test new treatments for people living with brain cancer.   A pioneering UK-wide trial, the 5G trial, has been awarded over £3m, by Cancer Research UK and the Minderoo Foundation, to test new treatments for people living with brain cancer.  

by Sophie Wedekind | News | 23 October 2024

23 October 2024

CT scan of a glioblastoma brain tumour highlighted in one section of the brain.

Brain tumour survival remains low and current treatments can have life-altering side effects. That's why Cancer Research UK is awarding £8m more to our Brain Tumour Centres of Excellence to accelerate our discovery of kinder and more effective treatments. Brain tumour survival remains low and current treatments can have life-altering side effects. That's why Cancer Research UK is awarding £8m more to our Brain Tumour Centres of Excellence to accelerate our discovery of kinder and more effective treatments.

by Sadaf Shafaghmotlagh | News | 24 September 2024

24 September 2024

Brain scans

Stand Up To Cancer are giving two international teams each a further £3.75m to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy and make immunotherapies work for more young patients. Stand Up To Cancer are giving two international teams each a further £3.75m to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy and make immunotherapies work for more young patients.

by Tim Gunn | Analysis | 7 August 2024

7 August 2024

Cancer Research UK scientists in the lab

NHS England will offer the newly-approved dabrafenib plus trametinib combination to children and young people whose gliomas are being driven by a specific genetic mutation. NHS England will offer the newly-approved dabrafenib plus trametinib combination to children and young people whose gliomas are being driven by a specific genetic mutation.

by Tim Gunn | News | 13 June 2024

13 June 2024