Neuropalliative Care in Brain Cancer

People with brain cancer experience substantial symptom burden, rapid functional decline, complex decision-making needs, and high care partner distress. Neuropalliative care offers a framework for integrating palliative care principles with neuro-oncology expertise across the disease trajectory, from diagnosis and treatment through recurrence, later deterioration, end-of-life care, and bereavement. This CME article summarizes practical recommendations for embedding palliative care in routine brain cancer care, including early communication about goals and values, individualized symptom assessment and management, multidisciplinary care coordination, advance care planning, support for care partners, and the use of clinical triggers for specialty palliative care referral. As therapeutic options evolve, aligning disease-directed treatment with quality of life, patient priorities, and family support remains a central responsibility of clinicians caring for this population.