Referral to a brain tumour specialist

Symptoms of brain tumours

Many people worry that a constant headache might mean they have a brain tumour. But it's unlikely that you have a brain tumour if headaches are your only symptom. 

Find out more about the symptoms of brain and spinal cord tumours

Seeing your GP

It can be hard for GPs to decide who may have cancer and who might have a more minor condition. For some symptoms, your doctor may ask you to wait to see if the symptoms get better or respond to treatment. 

Read about what happens when you see your GP

UK referral guidelines

There are guidelines for GPs to help them decide who needs an urgent suspected cancer referral. These vary slightly between the different UK nations. Your GP will use these guidelines as well as their own experience and judgement.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland

If you are over 25

The guidelines state your GP should consider an urgent suspected cancer referral for a brain MRI or CT scan if they think there is a problem with your brain or central nervous system. And if these problems are gradually getting worse. The referral is usually within 2 weeks.

Your GP uses these guidelines as well as their own experience and judgement. They will look for certain symptoms. For example:

• headaches with nausea and vomiting, or that wake you from sleep

• personality or behaviour changes

• speech and memory problems

• fits (seizures) 

• weakness on one side of your body

If you are 24 or younger

You should have a very urgent referral (usually within 48 hours) if your GP thinks you might have a new problem with your brain or central nervous system. Your symptoms might include new problems with:

• movement

• strength

• coordination

• balance

• confusion

• tiredness

All ages

In some situations, your GP might recommend you go straight to Accident and Emergency (A&E). Or they may admit you to hospital through a local medical assessment unit (MAU). In this case, a specialist doctor would review you immediately as an emergency.

Your GP is likely to want to talk to someone who knows you well to check if you have personality changes or changes in your mental abilities. This could be your partner, friend or a close relative.

In Scotland

Your GP should refer you to a specialist on the same day (emergency referral) if you have 2 or more of the following:

• a new headache

• a new seizure (fit)

• swelling at the back of your eyes (papilloedema)

• a new problem in the brain, spinal cord, or nerves affecting one specific part of your body

You should have an urgent referral to a specialist if you have a headache which your GP thinks may be caused by a brain or CNS cancer and at least one of the following. You have:

• a change to your thinking, language, attention, learning, memory or perception (to see, hear, or become aware of something through your senses). These symptoms are called cognitive changes

• a personality change

• had a cancer diagnosis – especially breast, lung, kidney or melanoma

• HIV

You might have an urgent referral to an optometrist if your GP is not sure if you have:

• papilloedema

• loss in areas of your vision

Find out more about tests to diagnose a brain tumour

If you're still worried

Sometimes you might feel that your GP is not concerned enough about your symptoms. If you think they should be more concerned, print this page and the symptoms page. Ask your GP to explain why they don’t think you need a referral.

Contact your GP again if your symptoms don't get better or you notice any new or unusual symptoms. 

What should I do if I don’t get my appointment?

If your GP has referred you, ask them when you should get your appointment. Contact them again if you don’t get one. Or some hospitals have a referral service you could try contacting if you know which hospital you are going to. Explain that you are waiting for an urgent suspected cancer referral.

Go to more information about urgent referral, what to expect and questions to ask

Waiting times

Your hospital is working towards waiting time targets. For example, a target to find out whether you have cancer or not. And there are targets to start treatment if you are diagnosed with cancer. These are slightly different depending on where you live in the UK.

Find out about other cancer waiting times