Do you need a referral for brain tumour surgery?

A neurologist, oncologist, general doctor or another treating clinician can usually send the relevant records to a neurosurgical service. Contact the hospital you plan to attend before booking because some services accept direct enquiries while others first require a clinical referral.

A referral is a request for specialist assessment, not a decision that an operation will happen. The neurosurgeon reviews the tumour's location, imaging appearance, your symptoms, general health and previous treatment before discussing whether surgery, monitoring or another approach may suit you.

The referral should ideally include brain scan images as well as reports, a current medicine list, relevant laboratory results and notes from clinicians already involved in your care. Having the actual image files can prevent delays caused by requesting them later.

Call the neurosurgery clinic and ask whether it accepts self-referrals, which records it needs and how scan images should be transferred. If a clinician must refer you, ask the doctor who ordered your scan or manages your tumour to submit the request and include your current symptoms.

Bring identification, your medicine and allergy details, a symptom timeline, prior operation or pathology reports, and questions from you or your family. Keep taking prescribed medicines unless the treating team gives different instructions.

Call emergency services for a first seizure, a seizure lasting longer than directed in your care plan, new weakness on one side, sudden difficulty speaking, loss of consciousness or severe breathing difficulty. Do not wait for a routine referral appointment.

Seek prompt medical assessment for a rapidly worsening headache, repeated vomiting, increasing confusion, new problems with balance or vision, or a marked change in alertness. These symptoms need assessment because they can signal pressure or another neurological problem, regardless of the planned treatment.

Ask what the operation is intended to achieve, whether a biopsy or tumour removal is being considered, what functions lie near the surgical area, and what alternatives are reasonable. You can also ask who coordinates care, which medicines need review before surgery, what recovery may involve and whom to contact if symptoms change.