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Mayo Clinic is one of the world's leading brain tumor treatment and research centers. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked No. 1 in Neurology and Neurosurgery by U.S. News and World Report.
Mayo Clinic's brain tumor treatment team includes more than 80 experienced and highly trained doctors who treat more than 4,000 children and adults each year. These world-renowned brain tumor specialists work together to deliver the best treatment for each patient. In Mayo's efficient system, testing and treatment can usually be done in days, not months.
Quality of life is an important consideration in Mayo's treatment approach. Mayo makes extensive use of technology (including intraoperative MRI, the latest Gamma Knife, brain mapping, and computer-assisted brain surgery) to give patients the best chance for positive outcomes.
Mayo doctors and scientists are active in the latest research on brain tumors. In fact, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is the only multisite national cancer center and one of only four cancer centers to receive a National Cancer Institute-sponsored Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) $10.8 million grant for brain cancer research. In addition to benefiting from the knowledge derived from decades of research conducted at Mayo Clinic, patients at Mayo have access to new research through Mayo's participation in cooperative clinical trials networks, including the North Central Cancer Treatment Group.
For specifics about Mayo Clinic's expertise in the treatment of various brain tumor types, please see the links below:
Most patients' initial visit is with a neurologist. The neurologist reviews the patient's history, does a thorough neurological exam, reviews imaging data (such as MRI and CT) and orders any additional testing. Results generally are available to the neurologist within 24 hours of testing in Mayo's state-of-the-art electronic medical record. Learn more about brain tumor diagnosis.
At Mayo Clinic, patients, neurologists, and other brain tumor treatment team members work together to determine the treatment approach that best meets the each individual's needs. Because new treatments continually develop, several options may be available for patients at different points in their treatment. The pros and cons of each option are discussed in detail during treatment planning. The treatment plan may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or some combination of these. Learn more about brain tumor treatment at Mayo Clinic.
A tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells. Brain tumors typically are categorized as primary or secondary. Primary brain tumors originate in the brain and can be benign (slow growing) or malignant (fast growing). Secondary brain tumors (metastatic brain tumors), which are malignant, are more common. These tumors result from cancer that started elsewhere in the body and spread (metastasized) to the brain.
Brain tumors may be classified as gliomas or non-gliomas. The most common gliomas are astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas (mixtures of oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma elements), and ependymomas. Most gliomas infiltrate critical brain tissue in such a way that surgical removal is impossible.
Non-gliomas consist of typically benign tumors such as meningiomas and pituitary adenomas, as well as malignant tumors such as primitive neuroectodermal tumors (medulloblastomas), primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphomas, and CNS germ cell tumors, which occur rarely.
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