Referral to a brain tumour specialist

Your GP should arrange for you to see a specialist if you have symptoms that could be due to a brain or spinal cord tumour. Depending on your symptoms and other factors, this might be an urgent suspected cancer referral.

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. 

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. 

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 both:

• headaches or being sick (vomiting)
• swelling at the back of your eyes (papilloedema)

Your GP should do an urgent referral to a specialist if you have new symptoms such as:

• personality and behavioural changes
• fits (seizures)
• headaches that wake you up at night 
• headaches with being sick or drowsiness

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.

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.