Brain Cancer

Brain Cancer

Each year, more than 460 British Columbians are diagnosed with brain cancer.

Brain tumours can develop at any age and it is the second most common type of childhood cancer. The brain is also a common site for the spread of other cancers, such as breast, lung, melanoma and colon.

What You Need to Know About Brain Cancer

Common brain cancer symptoms include worsening headaches, changes in vision, vision loss, seizures, nausea, vomiting and unusual drowsiness. Sudden changes in activity level or behaviour and trouble with balance or fine motor skills can also occur. If you have any symptoms or concerns, speak with a health care provider.

The outcomes for brain cancer depend on several factors including the tumour’s size, location and growth rate, as well as the likelihood of the tumour spreading.

How BC Cancer is Advancing Brain Cancer Research and Care

Thanks to generous donors, BC Cancer’s Neuro-Oncology team is making rapid progress in brain cancer research. Under the leadership of medical neuro-oncologist Dr. Rebecca Harrison, the team is bringing innovative solutions to British Columbians facing brain cancer.

The ACTION Clinical Trial

Led by Dr. Harrison, this international clinical trial explores the impact of a new drug, ONC201, on an aggressive type of brain tumour known as diffuse midline glioma. This type of brain tumour is more commonly found in children and young adults and has a low survival rate. Currently, there is no standard treatment for this type of brain cancer, but ONC201 has potential to meet the need for new, effective therapies.

New Treatment Options for Recurrent Brain Cancer

Patients facing glioblastoma — an aggressive cancer affecting the brain or spinal cord — showed improved survival outcomes after taking the drug, bevacizumab, before or shortly after completing their chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Additionally, research by BC Cancer medical oncologist Dr. Manik Chahal shows that patients who received bevacizumab experienced fewer side effects and an improved quality of life during treatment. The drug also reduced the need for corticosteroids, which are commonly prescribed during chemotherapy or radiation and can have challenging side effects.

Advanced Knowledge of Common Brain Cancers

BC Cancer Medical Director of Clinical Cancer Genomics Dr. Stephen Yip has conducted groundbreaking research that will shape future treatments for brain cancer:

• His discovery of new biomarkers led to the classification of low-grade gliomas into three sub-types. This provides valuable insights into how each sub-type reacts to treatment and help guide more personalized care based on the tumour’s molecular profile.
• In search of more effective treatments, Dr. Yip and his team are working with neurosurgeons and radiation oncology experts to better understand meningiomas, a common and aggressive brain tumour with a high recurrence rate.

The Chen Lab

Led by BC Cancer scientist Dr. Carol Chen, BC Cancer’s Chen Lab studies the genetic traits behind brain cancer and neurodevelopmental syndromes to understand how these diseases begin and progress. One of their key research projects focuses on identifying genetic mutations that cause childhood brain cancers, including a common and aggressive brain tumour called high-grade glioma (HGG), which has a low survival rate. The findings will help researchers develop better treatments and improve outcomes for people facing brain cancer and those experiencing recurrence.

The Research Consortium for Neuro-Oncology (ReCoN)

Fully funded by BC Cancer Foundation donors, ReCoN is a brain cancer research program that launched in 2024. Led by Dr. Chen, the program brings together a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in neuro-oncology. Using cutting-edge technologies, the team is analyzing data from patients with HGG tumours to advance the understanding of glioma biology and create new tools for diagnosis and treatment. ReCoN has established a patient-centred neuro-oncology research network across B.C., with plans to expand beyond HGG and build a broader neuro-oncology research network in the province. In recognition of this innovative and collaborative work, Dr. Chen and her team received BC Cancer’s Emerging Multidisciplinary Research Programs award in 2024.