Brain Tumors
Brain tumors occur when cells group together in the brain. Approximately 1 million Americans are living with a primary brain tumor, about a quarter of which are cancerous.
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.
Not everyone with a brain tumor will experience symptoms, but when they do occur, symptoms may include headaches, depression, anxiety, nausea, seizures and fatigue.
If a brain tumor is suspected, the care team will perform testing, which may include a neurologic exam, imaging tests and a biopsy. If brain cancer is diagnosed, the care team will assign a grade between 1 and 4.
There are more than 100 different types of brain tumors, some of which are malignant (cancerous) and some that aren’t. The type is determined during the diagnosis stage and depends on where the tumor originates and which types of cells are involved.
The care team and the patient will work together to develop a brain tumor treatment plan based on the tumor subtype, location and grade, as well as the patient’s treatment goals and overall health. Options may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
At City of Hope, clinicians and researchers collaborate to develop and evaluate new therapies for better survival and quality-of-life outcomes. Our brain tumor patients may access clinical trials for the latest immunotherapy, surgical techniques and radiation approaches.
Being diagnosed with a brain tumor 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.
Patient Stories
Our Brain Tumor Expertise
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:
- Malignant (cancerous) tumors
- Benign (noncancerous) tumors, including pituitary gland disorders
- Tumors that have spread or developed resistance to treatment
- Complex spinal tumors
Promising New Brain Tumor Therapies
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:
- Advanced immunotherapy and gene therapy clinical trials including using modified T cells to fight brain tumors
- Revolutionary neural stem cell therapy that delivers chemotherapy directly to tumors
- Promising research into immunotherapeutic approaches to killing brain cancer cells using nanoparticles
- Neurosurgeons who expertly perform minimally invasive procedures — including endoscopic and image-guided surgery — to maximize tumor tissue removal while preserving the quality of life
- A comprehensive pituitary tumor clinic
- Noninvasive, alternating electric field therapy that disrupts tumor cell division
- A brain tumor board, that regularly meets to discuss patient treatment plans
- Palliative procedures designed to improve quality of life
Seamless, Coordinated Brain Tumor Care
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 fewer than 60 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 brain tumor care.