Steroid drugs (usually Dexamethasone) are used either before or after surgery or radiation therapy to reduce the swelling that often surrounds brain tumours.  Steroid drugs do not treat the tumour itself but they do help relieve the swelling and pressure caused by the tumour.

Steroids can be used at many stages of treatment, for varying lengths of time.  Some people may need to take them for days, others for months.

 The dose of steroids given will generally be kept as low as possible as steroids may cause the following side effects if taken over a long period of time. Effects include

• Appetite may increase and you may put on weight quite quickly (within a few weeks), especially on the face, waist and shoulders. Steroids often produce a feeling of well-being, which may also make a person feel like eating.
• The level of sugar in the blood may increase and the person may need to do a simple daily test to check for sugar in the urine. The doctor or nurse will show you how to do this.
• Steroids cause muscle weakness in some people and this can be troublesome especially if the tumour is also causing weakness.
• Other side effects steroids can cause include acne and water retention.

These side effects are temporary and will gradually disappear as the steroid dose is reduced. Steroid drugs often make people feel emotionally uplifted and it is common to feel a bit depressed for a while after the dose is finished. This depression lasts longer for some people that for others.

It is not wise to stop taking steroids suddenly, as this can be dangerous (the does can be gradually reduced by the doctor). While having steroid treatment, you should always carry a steroid card, which the doctor or nurse will provide to show the type and dose of steroid you are using.