Brain tumors

Overview

Brain tumors are masses or growths of abnormal cells that occur in the brain or the tissue and structures that are near it. Many different types of brain tumors exist. Some brain tumors are noncancerous (benign), and some brain tumors are cancerous (malignant). Brain tumors can begin in your brain (primary brain tumors), or cancer can begin in other parts of your body and spread to your brain (secondary, or metastatic, brain tumors).

What brain tumor treatment is best for you depends on the type, size and location of the tumor, as well as your overall health and your preferences. Common brain tumor treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Expertise and experience. Mayo Clinic's brain tumor treatment team is an experienced and highly trained group of doctors who treat children and adults with brain tumors and other nervous system tumors. Mayo Clinic specialists treat a variety of brain tumors, including common and rare brain tumors.
• Teamwork. Mayo Clinic's world-renowned brain tumor specialists work together with other specialists to deliver the most appropriate treatment for each person. Your brain tumor treatment team may involve neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, neurologists, rehabilitation specialists and other professionals as needed.
• The latest techniques and technology. Mayo Clinic neurosurgeons have the latest technological advances available to them, including computer-assisted neurosurgery, intraoperative MRI, awake brain surgery and lasers.
• Access to clinical trials. Mayo Clinic doctors and scientists are active in the latest research on brain tumors, and Mayo Clinic participates in cooperative clinical trials networks, including the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.
• Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, recognizing scientific excellence and a multispecialty approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked high performing for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic
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