Hello Electra,

Thank you for posting a question. I am one of the nurses and Helen our moderator wondered if we might be able to answer your question. I am sorry to learn about your dad’s situation. This must be very difficult for you all.

Some people with brain tumours can have personality changes. This is more likely to happen when the tumour is in the frontal lobe. The changes can often be short term. If the personality changes are caused by swelling in the brain which has resulted from the treatment, they should improve slowly over time. But sometimes when they are a direct result of a growing brain tumour, the personality changes might persist.

Occasionally steroids, which are used  to reduce the swelling that can be associated with brain tumours, can cause personality changes. When this is the case things usually improve once the steroids are tapered off or stopped.  But they should never be stopped or reduced unless a health professional advises the patient to do so. It can sometimes be difficult to balance the side effects of steroids against what is gained. But doctors use the lowest possible dose.  As the reasons for personality changes are varied, it is difficult to know what will happen in your dad’s case. But I do hope that things improve for him.

Some people are aware of their personality changes while other people aren’t or only have partial awareness. But even when they are aware, it is not always possible for the person to easily change things.

I am unsure if your family has talked things over with your dad’s medical team as there may be things they can suggest that will help. They might suggest a neuropsychiatric assessment if things do not improve.

I can appreciate that it must be very distressing to find your dad such a ‘changed man’ and I hope that you have some support at this time.  This sort of thing is never easy to handle, but as hard as it is try not to take any of the anger personally.

Do get back to the nurse team directly if you think it might help. If you would like to telephone our freephone number is 0808 8004040. We are here from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am to 5pm (closed public holidays).

All the best,

Jean