If you have been diagnosed with or suspect you have brain cancer or a brain tumor (also called neuro-oncology), you may feel worried or anxious. It helps to know that our team of experts will guide you through your options and provide you with the best cancer treatment plan possible.

The UMass Memorial Health Cancer Center offers personalized, high quality care in patient-focused settings. We work with the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School on extensive cancer research and clinical trials, so our patients benefit from the latest diagnostic and treatment options.

As multidisciplinary care practitioners, we bring our specialists together in a single setting to discuss each patient’s diagnosis and develop a thorough treatment plan. In most cases, you’ll only need a single appointment to meet with our team members one-on-one. We’ll answer your questions, discuss your concerns and attend to your physical and emotional needs. We also encourage the involvement of your loved ones throughout the care process to complement the support we provide. 

What You Should Know About Brain Cancer 

Brain tumors can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). They can either originate in the brain or spread from another part of the body (called a metastatic brain tumor).

The most common cancers that metastasize (spread) are:

• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Melanoma (skin cancer)
• Kidney cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Certain sarcomas
• Testicular cancer and germ cell tumors

Other cancers, such as colon cancer and prostate cancer, spread to the brain less often than those listed above.

Brain Cancers We Treat

Our team of specialists is led by neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, neurologists, radiation oncologists and pathologists who treat adult and pediatric brain tumors, including:

• Glioblastoma
• Gliomas (low grade and malignant)
• Meningiomas
• Metastatic brain and spinal tumors
• Nerve sheath (schwannomas and neurofibromas)
• Pituitary tumors
• Skull base tumors

Brain Cancer Treatments We Provide

• Brain mapping
• Chemotherapy
• Genetic counseling
• Image-guided neurosurgery
• Intensity modulated radiation