Brain & Spinal Tumor Treatments
Treatment options for brain cancer and spinal tumors
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Multidisciplinary Treatment at the Brain Tumor Center
At Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), our specialists provide prompt, accurate diagnoses, along with compassionate, patient-centered care for patients with both benign and malignant brain tumors. We also offer comprehensive care for skull, brain and spinal tumors, ensuring coordinated expertise across complex conditions. Our dedicated Brain Tumor Center, Division of Neuro-Oncology and Division of Neurosurgery work together to provide advanced, research-driven treatment options tailored to each patient’s needs.
Medical Neuro-Oncology Care
A diagnosis of brain cancer can be overwhelming, bringing uncertainty, fear, and many difficult questions for patients and their families. At our center, we approach every case with compassion, clear communication, and a commitment to guiding you through each step of care.
In recent years, significant advances have been made in the treatment of brain cancer. Our center offers the latest and most effective therapies, ensuring you benefit from the best treatment options available.
Depending on your type of brain tumor and individualized treatment plan, you may receive treatment with chemotherapy.
In addition to conventional treatments, our center also provides access to innovative investigational treatments, including:
- Clinical trials
- Immunotherapy
- Intra-tumoral treatments
- Next-generation chemotherapeutic agents
- Small molecule therapies
Surgical Neuro-Oncology Approaches
Surgery is a central pillar in the treatment of brain tumors. Our focus is maximal safe resection, removing tumor to the greatest extent possible while preserving neurologic function and quality of life. In many cases, a greater extent of resection is associated with improved long-term outcomes.
We leverage advanced neuroimaging, intraoperative navigation, and functional mapping, including awake brain mapping when appropriate, to tailor each operation with precision. Our approach is deliberate, data-driven, and continuously refined through clinical experience and ongoing research to deliver the highest level of surgical care.
At BIDMC, surgical care for brain tumors spans the full spectrum of disease, integrating technical expertise with a multidisciplinary approach. Surgical techniques include:
- 3D computer-assisted surgical navigation for precise tumor localization and surgical planning
- 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-guided tumor removal enabling higher extent or resections
- Awake brain surgery/craniotomy to help preserve speech and motor function
- Brain mapping and stimulation to prevent damage to normal tissue
- Endoscopic minimally invasive surgery for removal of pituitary and intraventricular tumors
- Functional MRI for preoperative planning and preserving critical brain areas
- GammaTile surgically targeted radiation brachytherapy
- Intraoperative microscopes to enhance visibility during surgery
- Laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT)
- Skull-base surgery to remove tumors with minimal impact on the brain
- Ultrasound-guided technique to maximize tumor removal
- Targeted therapy (precision medicine)
Expert Subspecialty Surgery Team
Our team may include surgeons from various subspecialties, depending on the tumor’s location. We may collaborate with these other surgeons at BIDMC who are experts in their medical specialties:
With this diverse, highly skilled team, we ensure you receive the most comprehensive and compassionate care available.
Radiation Oncology Therapy
At BIDMC, our Radiation Oncology team offers a wide range of advanced treatment techniques in radiation therapy designed to precisely target tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Cancer care teams typically use this therapy to:
- Treat metastatic disease (cancer that has spread to the brain from another organ or location in your body).
- Manage primary brain tumors by controlling growth and progression, either following surgery or when surgery is not the best option.
- Target tumors in difficult-to-reach or sensitive areas of the brain where surgery may not be possible
- Reduce the risk of the tumor returning after surgery and in areas far away from the surgical site.
Depending on the type of brain tumor and your overall care plan, your care team may suggest one or more of the following options.
IMRT allows us to precisely target radiation to the tumor while sparing as much normal tissue as possible. This is an option when surgery isn’t possible or additional treatments are needed.
VMAT is effective for treating larger tumors or tumors in difficult-to-reach areas (or critical locations), such as behind the eye. This method delivers small doses of radiation over time to reduce potential short- and long-term neurological side effects.
This approach is used when multiple tumors are present in the brain. It can treat all tumors at once, including those too small to be viable on an MRI scan.
This non-invasive treatment offers high precise targeting accuracy with minimal exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, ideal for treating hard-to-reach tumors. It delivers a higher dose of in fewer sessions compared to traditional radiation therapy.
There is often a limit to the size or number of tumors that a radiation oncologist can treat. At BIDMC, we use advanced technology called CyberKnife to deliver stereotactic radiation.
Research & Clinical Trials
We are committed to advancing care for patients with brain tumors through ongoing research and clinical trials. In some cases, patients may have access to new and emerging treatments that are not yet widely available. Our team will help determine if a clinical trial is a good fit for you and guide you through the process with care and support.
Specialized Screening & Diagnostic Services
To diagnose your brain tumor, your oncologist (doctor who specializes in cancer) will use advanced imaging and lab tests. Two key specialties that play a critical role in diagnosis include:
- Neuropathologists study diseases of the nervous system, including tumors, and analyze tissue samples to determine the tumor type and stage/grade of the disease, helping guide your treatment plan.
- Neuroradiologists diagnose abnormalities of the central and peripheral nervous system. They use imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) to diagnose and treat disease. They collaborate with your care team to review images and recommend further tests or treatments.
Individualized Treatment Planning
At our multidisciplinary brain tumor conference and clinics, our team of specialists works together to discuss your tumor and develop the best treatment plan tailored to you. During your visit, you will meet all the necessary specialists in one location, streamlining your care.
Together, we will help you understand:
- Your diagnosis, upcoming tests, and any preparations you may need
- The procedure or operation you will undergo
- Your recovery, medications, and returning home
We also assist you and your family with:
- Managing your care
- Coordinating appointments
- Connecting you to additional resources (such as support groups in the Boston area)
Our Brain Tumor Program brings together specialists from multiple disciplines to diagnose and treat all types of brain cancer and benign tumors. We offer a range of leading-edge treatment options, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, all tailored to your specific needs.
Advancing Care, Research & Education
Cancer Center
The Cancer Center is renowned for exceptional cancer care and for pioneering discoveries in cancer treatment.
Cancer Research Institute
The Cancer Research Institute is an interdisciplinary center focused on understanding cancer with the goal of curing it.
Cancer Education & Training
The Cancer Center offers comprehensive education and training opportunities for residents, fellows and researchers.
