Follow up after brain tumour treatment

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. 

Why you have follow up appointments

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

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.  

What happens

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 

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. 

Where you have your follow up appointments

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.

Feeling worried

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.

Between appointments

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 check ups 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.

You can also find people to share experiences with by using our online forum, CancerChat.

Cancer Research UK nurses