Brain Tumors

At UT Southwestern Medical Center, dedicated physicians, surgeons, and scientists have created interconnecting programs to provide patients with the best treatments available for brain and pituitary tumors and to develop better treatments for tumors that cannot yet be cured or controlled.

We specialize in care for both benign and malignant tumors, and we offer a number of clinical trials to help provide better and more effective treatment options for patients.

Seven Centers of Excellence for Brain Tumor Care

Our brain tumor specialists have established seven Centers of Excellence to provide patients with comprehensive treatment strategies, working to achieve the best possible result for each patient.

The surgeons at our seven centers strive to completely remove each tumor. In cases where complete removal with surgery is not possible, we work with colleagues in radiation oncology and neuro-oncology to determine whether the tumor might be controlled with targeted radiation or chemotherapy. Our goal is to restore normal, productive lives to as many patients as possible.

As an academic medical center, we provide an active clinical trials program that gives eligible patients access to brain tumor treatments that may not be available at other health care centers. Our providers can help patients determine if they are eligible to participate in a study. See current brain tumor clinical trials.

Physicians and surgeons directly involved in the treatment of brain and pituitary tumors are supported by colleagues in the disciplines of neuroradiology, neuropathology, neuropsychology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation, and by a large team of experienced nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Everyone involved in this effort shares the goal of providing the best outcome possible for each patient.

What Is a Brain Tumor?

A brain tumor is a mass of abnormal cells growing in or around the brain. Normally, the body controls how cells grow and divide, but in a tumor, cells grow uncontrollably, forming a lump or mass.

Brain tumors can develop in different parts of the brain, including the:

• Brain tissue itself
• Protective lining around the brain (meninges)
• Base of the skull
• Brainstem
• Sinuses and nasal cavity

Some brain tumors are cancerous (malignant) and tend to grow quickly, invading nearby tissues. Others are noncancerous (benign) and do not spread to other parts of the brain or body. However, benign tumors can still be dangerous when they press on important parts of the brain.

Because the brain controls so many vital functions – such as thinking, movement, vision, and speech – any tumor in the brain, whether benign or malignant, can cause serious problems depending on its size and location.

What Are the Types of Brain Tumors?

Researchers have identified more than 120 types of brain tumors, classified based on the kinds of cells they come from or their location. Brain tumors are generally grouped into two main categories:

Primary Brain Tumors

Primary brain tumors begin in the brain or nearby structures. They may be benign or malignant.

• Gliomas: Develop from glial cells (the brain’s support cells) and include astrocytomas, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and ependymomas
• Meningiomas: Form in the meninges, the protective lining around the brain and spinal cord
• Pituitary adenomas: Grow from the pituitary gland
• Schwannomas: Develop along nerves, such as acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas)

Metastatic Brain Tumors

Metastatic brain tumors are cancers that have spread to the brain from other parts of the body. They are about four times more common than primary brain tumors. Common sources include:

• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colon cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Melanoma (skin cancer)

What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs of Brain Tumors?

Brain tumor symptoms can vary widely depending on the tumor’s size, location, and how quickly it is growing. Some tumors cause symptoms early on, while others may go unnoticed for a long time.

Common brain tumor symptoms include:

• Headaches, often worse in the morning or severe enough to wake a person from sleep
• Seizures or convulsions
• Difficulty thinking, speaking, or finding words
• Personality or behavior changes
• Weakness, numbness, or paralysis on one side of the body
• Loss of balance, dizziness, or problems walking
• Vision or hearing changes
• Facial numbness or tingling
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion and disorientation
• Memory problems

Some brain tumors, especially slow-growing ones like meningiomas, may cause no symptoms at first and are sometimes found by accident during imaging for other reasons.

What Are the Differences Between a Brain Tumor and Brain Cancer?

While all brain cancers are brain tumors, not all brain tumors are cancer.

A brain tumor is any abnormal growth of cells in the brain. Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors usually grow slowly, have clear borders, and don’t spread to other parts of the brain or body. However, they can still be dangerous if they press on vital brain areas.

Brain cancer specifically refers to malignant tumors that grow quickly and invade healthy brain tissue.

How Are Brain Tumors Treated?

Brain Tumor Surgery

The surgical removal of a brain or pituitary tumor is often the initial step in its management. The goals of surgery include providing an exact diagnosis, relieving symptoms caused by pressure on surrounding structures, and, when possible, providing a lasting cure. Our surgeons are experienced in all of the surgical procedures available to treat brain and pituitary tumors, and we strive to use the least invasive approach possible.

Radiation Therapy and Radiosurgery for Brain Tumors

Radiation can effectively treat both benign and malignant brain and pituitary tumors. The Department of Radiation Oncology at UT Southwestern uses a wide range of sophisticated techniques to maximize the likelihood of controlling tumor growth and minimize the risk of injury to normal parts of the brain near the tumor.

We have the only Gamma Knife Icon in the Dallas–Ft. Worth Metroplex, as well as the latest-generation CyberKnife. Both devices are used to deliver highly focused, precise radiation to brain and pituitary tumors. We are one of four Gamma Knife training centers in the country and radiologists come from around the world to train with us.

Brain Tumor Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy might be required to treat malignant brain tumors. Our three neuro-oncologists are experienced in tailoring chemotherapy regimens to provide the best chance of controlling a tumor with the least risk and discomfort for the patient.

As part of the Annette G. Strauss Center for Neuro-Oncology, we also provide access to a number of clinical trials and research programs dedicated to providing better and more effective treatment options for patients in the future. Search for brain tumor clinical trials.

Observation

For some tumors, especially those that are discovered by chance on MRI or CT scans taken to evaluate unrelated symptoms, a period of observation is often recommended prior to treatment recommendation. Observation is also often the best management of small tumor fragments left after surgery. Almost all brain and pituitary tumor patients undergo repeated MRI scans after treatment to observe for the possible recurrence of their tumors.