Getting treatment for brain and spinal tumors at City of Hope puts you at the center of the most innovative and clinical trials for brain cancer in the world, providing you access to promising treatments and cancer biology. Our Brain Tumor Program has several exciting experimental therapies, including:
For more information on our clinical trials or to refer a patient for enrollment with a newly developed or recurrent brain tumor, please email [email protected].
Primary brain tumors are rare — fewer than 2% of the population is diagnosed with a malignant (cancerous) brain tumor during their lifetime. In addition, cancers that begin in the brain — primary brain tumors — are uncommon, while those that travel to brain tissue from other organs — called metastatic tumors — are more frequently diagnosed.
Brain tumors are highly complex, requiring an expert and deeply experienced team that can accurately diagnose your tumor type — so that you get the best and most effective treatment.
City of Hope’s approach to treating brain cancer starts with a coordinated, multidisciplinary care team whose primary goal is finding a treatment plan that extends your life.
City of Hope is a hub of innovation and progress when it comes to treating brain tumors.
Being diagnosed with brain cancer is a challenging and life-altering event. In addition to leading-edge care, City of Hope provides all patients with counseling, physical therapy and nutritional support.
When you get brain tumor treatment at City of Hope, you are partnering with a world-class team of experts spanning multiple disciplines who see and treat challenging and complex brain tumors daily. And you have access to transformative surgical methods and technology, groundbreaking research studies, and highly focused radiation therapy. We treat all tumor types, including:
City of Hope's focus on basic research keeps us on the cusp of significant discoveries. For example, we are the only cancer center in the country injecting cancer-killing immune cells directly into the brain to treat patients with advanced brain tumors — to boost your immune system's natural cancer-fighting abilities. And we were the first research institution in the world to use neural stem cells in patients with glioblastoma.
Our commitment to providing exceptional care includes:
City of Hope's team of neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, researchers, nurses, radiation oncologists and genetic counselors work together closely at every stage to provide seamless, coordinated care. We balance that approach with personalized medicine — not just when it comes to your cancer, but the kind that makes you feel supported throughout your treatment. Our commitment to personalized care means preserving your quality of life is at the heart of your treatment.
City of Hope is one of the few facilities designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.
Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.
“In the past, we never treated patients who had cancer that spread to the brain because we considered it terminal. But now that we’ve succeeded with drugs, partly invented at City of Hope, people with advanced cancer are living longer and longer.”
Rahul Jandial, M.D., Ph.D., Neurosurgeon and Scientist
Brain Tumor Leadership
Jana Portnow, M.D., is a medical oncologist and co-director of the Brain Tumor Program at City of Hope. She is dedicated to improving the treatment of the most aggressive and difficult brain cancers.
Behnam Badie, M.D., is a renowned neurosurgeon and expert in the field of surgical neuro-oncology, nanotechnology and T cell research.
