Tumors of the brain and spinal cord require close coordination among neurosurgery, radiation, and medical oncology. Our oncologists manage the medical treatment and help coordinate your care across that team.
How we approach it
These tumors are managed with neurosurgery, radiation, and medical therapy — coordination is everything
Whether and which medical therapy helps depends on the specific tumor type and its genetics
We help coordinate with neurosurgical and radiation specialists, including academic centers when needed
What the workup looks like
A high-resolution MRI defines the tumor's location, size, and relationship to the structures around it.
A biopsy or surgery provides tissue, and molecular markers increasingly guide both treatment and what to expect.
Neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and medical oncology plan together, since the timing and order of treatment matter a great deal.
Radiation therapy for brain and spinal cord tumors
Radiation therapy is one of the tools we may use in treating brain and spinal cord tumors — precisely targeting the tumor while sparing healthy tissue nearby. When it’s part of your plan, it’s delivered with the advanced TrueBeam® system and planned by our board-certified radiation oncologist, Dr. Dan Ishihara, working hand-in-hand with your medical oncologist so radiation, drug therapy, and surgery come together as one plan rather than three.
Common questions
Are all brain tumors cancerous?
What treatments are used?
How is the medical oncologist involved?
Does tumor genetics matter?
This page is general information, not medical advice for your specific situation. Every diagnosis — and every patient — is different. Bring your questions to your care team.