a brain tumour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brain tumour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing medical conditions, specifically referring to a tumor located in the brain. Example: "The doctor informed her that she had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and would need to undergo treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A year later, when Henrik was seven, Hamlet died from a brain tumour.

The Guardian - Sport

Scans revealed a brain tumour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Smith was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The Guardian

Nerissa died recently from a brain tumour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Jack had a brain tumour when he was young.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She had survived a brain tumour, but not political betrayal.

The Guardian

Steve died from a brain tumour in 2010.

The Guardian

Despite having a brain tumour Law stood against Jones.

The Guardian

There, she underwent an emergency operation for a brain tumour.

The Guardian - Arts

He died three months later of a brain tumour.

The Guardian - Books

Gershwin was 38 when he died of a brain tumour.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about medical diagnoses, ensure that you use the phrase "a brain tumour" in contexts where it is appropriate to inform or explain a medical condition, especially in journalistic or informative content. For more formal medical writing, consider using "brain neoplasm".

Common error

Be specific when discussing "a brain tumour". Avoid using generic terms like "growth" without further clarification if the context requires a precise medical description. Always provide the necessary context for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brain tumour" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify a specific type of medical condition—a tumor located within the brain. As Ludwig confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. The examples show its use in describing diagnoses, causes of death, and personal health experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a brain tumour" is a common and correct noun phrase used to describe a tumour located in the brain. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to inform or explain a medical condition. While the register is neutral, it is essential to provide appropriate context and avoid generalization when discussing the specific type of tumour. For more formal medical writing, consider using alternatives like "cerebral tumour" or "intracranial neoplasm".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cerebral tumour

Replaces "brain" with its synonym "cerebral", maintaining the medical context.

intracranial neoplasm

Uses more technical and formal medical terminology to describe the same condition.

brain neoplasm

A more formal way of saying "a brain tumour", using the term "neoplasm".

growth in the brain

Simplifies the phrase by using more general terms to describe the presence of a tumour.

lesion on the brain

Uses the term "lesion" to broadly refer to an abnormality in the brain tissue.

malignancy in the brain

Specifically indicates that the tumour is cancerous or malignant.

cancerous brain growth

Specifies the cancerous nature of the growth, adding a critical detail.

abnormal mass in the brain

Describes the tumour as an "abnormal mass", highlighting its unusual nature.

brain malignancy

Implies that the tumour is cancerous.

tumorous brain growth

Describes the growth on the brain.

FAQs

How is "a brain tumour" diagnosed?

A "brain tumour" is typically diagnosed through neurological exams, imaging techniques like MRI and CT scans, and sometimes biopsies to confirm the type and grade of the tumour.

What are the common symptoms of "a brain tumour"?

Symptoms of "a brain tumour" can vary depending on the size and location of the tumour, but may include persistent headaches, seizures, changes in vision, weakness, and cognitive difficulties.

What can I say instead of "a brain tumour"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "cerebral tumour" or "intracranial neoplasm" in more formal or medical settings. For simpler language, you could say "growth in the brain".

Is "a brain tumour" the same as "brain cancer"?

Not always. While brain cancer refers specifically to malignant tumours in the brain, "a brain tumour" can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant. Further diagnosis is needed to determine if a tumour is cancerous.