UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
Neurologist Lauren Singer, MD, and neurosurgeon Sean Polster, MD with a patient. Dr. Singer treats neuro-oncology patients and Dr. Polster specializes in minimally invasive surgery of the brain and spine.
Neurologist Lauren Singer, MD, center, and neurosurgeon Sean Polster, MD, right. Dr. Singer treats neuro-oncology patients and Dr. Polster specializes in minimally invasive surgery of the brain and spine

If you have been diagnosed with a brain or spine tumor, don’t lose hope. Advanced tests and treatments have transformed care for brain and spinal tumors and cancers in recent years.

At the University of Chicago Medicine's Brain and Spine Tumor Center, we offer groundbreaking care for the full range of brain and spinal tumors, from slower-growing tumors to aggressive brain and spine cancers. Our brain and spine specialists have expertise in minimally invasive neurosurgery and other treatments that can help reduce your risk of complications and maintain your quality of life. We also specialize in treating metastatic brain and spinal cancers.

Our multidisciplinary team of neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists and hematologist/oncologists will work together on a personalized care plan to help you achieve the best possible outcomes.

Find a Brain and Spine Tumor Specialist 

Brain and Spine Tumor Symptoms

Brain and spine tumors can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on where they are located. If you think you have recently been diagnosed with a brain or spinal tumor, our expert team at the University of Chicago Medicine Brain & Spine Tumor Center can help.

Brain and Spine Tumor Diagnosis

At the University of Chicago Medicine Brain and Spine Tumor Center, we use sophisticated imaging technology and pathology evaluation to determine the location, type and grade of your tumor.

Your neuro-oncologist or neurosurgeon is often the first physician you’ll meet from your multidisciplinary team. Your doctor may recommend some of these tests to help develop your personalized treatment plan:

Brain and Spine Tumor Treatment

The University of Chicago Medicine Brain and Spine Tumor Center offers the most advanced treatment options for patients with tumors of the brain and spinal cord. Our approach to brain and spine tumor treatment depends on factors such as:

  • The type of tumor you have
  • The size and location of your tumor
  • How quickly the tumor may grow
  • Your overall health, goals and personal preferences

Our team of neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, neuropathologists and other specialists will meet to discuss your case and suggest the most effective options to manage your tumor. These may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Surgery

Surgery is typically an important part of your brain and spine tumor treatment. UChicago Medicine neurosurgeons perform hundreds of brain and spine tumor operations every year. Our team uses high-precision surgical techniques and tools to operate on many tumors that were once considered inoperable. We offer: 

Radiation Therapy

External-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) can be used alone or with other types of brain and spine tumor treatments like surgery or chemotherapy. Even when brain or spine cancer is removed through surgery, radiation therapy is often recommended to destroy any remaining cancer cells. For non-cancerous brain and spine tumors, radiation therapy may also be used to slow or halt growth or to treat recurring tumors.

At UChicago Medicine, you have access to sophisticated EBRT technologies, including:

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment in which medication is delivered through your bloodstream to destroy and prevent the growth, spread or recurrence of cancer. If the type of brain tumor you have can be treated with chemotherapy, your UChicago Medicine doctor will analyze your tumor’s cells to determine whether a particular drug may be more effective, based on your tumor’s molecular material. New chemotherapies are also in development to treat brain and spinal tumors.

You may receive a single medicine or a combination, and this may be used alone or with surgery or radiation therapy. Although clinical trial research is expanding the use of chemotherapy in treating brain tumors, it’s still only effective on a limited number of them. Temozolomide is the most common drug used to fight brain tumors.

Chemotherapy is given in cycles; you may receive your therapy by infusion, by pill or through small wafers implanted in your brain.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy uses medicine to either target cells that help brain and spine tumors grow. Targeted therapy can help when other treatments aren’t working. There are currently a few targeted therapies to treat brain tumors:

  • Bevacizumab targets VEGF, a protein that normally helps tumors create the new blood vessels they need to keep growing. Blocking VEGF helps limit the size of the tumor. When added to chemotherapy, this medicine can help slow the growth of some types of tumors. It is often used for glioblastoma.
  • MEK and BRAF inhibitors block certain proteins that play a role in cancer cell growth.
  • Belzutifan blocks a protein called HIF-2a, which causes tumor growth in people with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease.
  • IDH inhibitors, such as vorasidenib, are approved for low-grade gliomas. These can be used in place of chemotherapy in certain patients.

Immunotherapy

Your immune system protects you from infection, illness and substances that can harm your body. Immunotherapy is an innovative medical treatment that harnesses the power of a patient’s own immune system against disease. Cancer immunotherapy acts on the cells of the immune system to seek out, recognize and attack cancer cells.

UChicago Medicine is a leader in advancing immunotherapies to treat a variety of brain and spine cancers. Learn more about clinical trials involving immunotherapy.

Why Choose UChicago Medicine for Your Brain or Spine Tumor Treatment?

Every year, hundreds of patients with brain and spine tumors seek their care at UChicago Medicine. Here are some reasons why:

Convenient Locations for Cancer Care

Request an Appointment for Cancer Care

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-855-702-8222 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient for cancer care, please call UCM Physician Connect at 1-800-824-2282

 
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By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.
Center for Care and Discovery on the north side of the building, located at the University of Chicago

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