Starting, changing and stopping treatment

The treatment that you are given for a brain tumour is customised for you. It is based on your particular tumour type and grade as well your genetics and health. But, what if your brain tumour treatment doesn’t work? There are other options, which we will discuss here.

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First-line brain tumour treatment

What if first-line brain tumour treatment doesn’t work?

First-line brain tumour treatment

When someone is first diagnosed with a brain tumour, their healthcare team will use their clinical experience to develop a treatment plan they hope will be as effective as possible, while limiting the risks or side-effects. This is called first-line treatment.

The success of any first-line treatment will vary from person to person. Not only will different tumour types, grades and locations respond differently to different treatments, but a person’s age, unique genetic makeup and general health will also play a part in affecting how the treatment works.

Sometimes, first-line treatment may not be as effective at treating a brain tumour as hoped. Or, it might cause such severe side-effects that the treatment will have to be stopped. It may even start working and then stop suddenly.

This is completely normal and just because one treatment hasn’t worked, it doesn’t mean others won’t.

Make the right choices for you

Our Step by Step interactive guide outlines what happens following a diagnosis, to answer your questions and help you to understand what to expect.

Read our guide

What if brain tumour treatment doesn’t work?

If first-line care isn’t effective, the healthcare team will explore different treatment options to develop second-line treatment. This might include different medication, clinical trials and experimental treatments.

The factors described above will also affect how well second-line treatment works. And, if it isn’t effective either, third- and even fourth-line treatment may be offered.

Unfortunately, it may be that there isn’t an alternative treatment that’s suitable or you. If this is the case, your healthcare team may make the tough decision that trying another treatment simply isn’t in anybody’s best interests. An example might be if the treatment has very unpleasant or serious side-effects and there is little chance of success.

At this point, end of life care will begin. This is part of palliative care and it focuses on treating and easing the symptoms, rather than treating the brain tumour itself. This is often an extremely difficult time for anybody affected by a brain tumour and you can find more information about end of life and bereavement.