Brain & Spine Cancers

When you learn you have cancer of the brain or nervous system or other neurologic complications from cancer, turn to Cone Health’s neuro-oncology practice for state-of-the-art treatments close to home.

Whether you’re diagnosed with a primary tumor—a growth that started in the brain or spinal cord—or you’re battling cancer that’s spread (metastasized) from another part of the body, you’ll find a multidisciplinary team dedicated to your care and well-being.

Our neuro-oncology practice offers you:

• Nationally recognized cancer care in a community hospital setting
• Care close to your home, work and support network
• Well-connected, collaborative experts in the field
• A dedicated brain tumor patient navigator
• An interdisciplinary brain tumor board for more complex cases
• Advanced offerings - latest approved treatments, stereotactic radiosurgery and clinical trials

Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors We Treat

Look to Cone Health to care for brain and spinal cord tumors affecting adults, including:

• Anaplastic astrocytoma
• Glioblastoma (GBM)
• Low-grade glioma
• Meningioma
• Metastatic tumors in the brain and spinal cord
• Oligodendroglioma
• Pituitary adenomas
• Primary brain tumors
• Schwannoma
• Vestibular Schwannoma (Acoustic Neuroma) 

In addition to tumor treatments, we also treat these benign processes:

• Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
• Trigeminal Neuralgia

Advanced Diagnostic Imaging

Access advanced diagnostic imaging at Cone Health, including 3.0 Tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and image fusion, which combines multiple imaging technologies. These extremely detailed images help your care team identify even small sites of cancer so you can get targeted treatment.

Brain & Spinal Cord Tumor Care

Partner with your Cone Health team to create a care plan that offers the best chance of curing or controlling your specific tumor while minimizing side effects. Your plan could include:

• Chemotherapy
• Clinical trials
• Radiation therapy, including image-guided beam radiation therapy (IGRT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), 3-D conformal radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
• Surgery

Learn more about cancer treatments at Cone Health Cancer Center.

Palliative Care

You’ll experience improved symptom relief and a better quality of life during treatment because your Cone Health team integrates palliative care into your multidisciplinary care plan.

Radiosurgery for Brain Tumors

If you’re a candidate for stereotactic radiosurgery, you’ll benefit from a painless, “scalpel-free” alternative to traditional surgery. With this innovative technique, your doctor eliminates cancer cells using advanced technology that delivers extremely precise high-dose radiation. This is an outpatient procedure that does not require a hospital stay. You should be able to resume normal activities within a couple days.

Advanced Treatment for Multiple Brain Metastases

If you experience cancer that’s spread to multiple sites in the brain, you may benefit from a new treatment technique that delivers simultaneous targeted radiation to each lesion. That means you’ll receive high-quality radiation treatment in less time. This technique, pioneered by Cone Health, is available at only a handful of hospitals across the country.

More Comfortable Tumor Treatment

Before radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery for a brain tumor, ask your doctor about about our "faceless mask".  This is a custom plastic mesh mask that keeps your head still during treatment. Our masks feature a large opening for your eyes and nose to reduce discomfort and allow you to see and breathe more easily.

Before radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery for a spinal cord tumor, you’ll get a custom body pillow that makes you more comfortable while keeping you in the right position for your targeted treatment.

Support & Survivorship

Throughout your cancer journey, lean on Cone Health for support and wellness services that address your family’s social, emotional, spiritual and financial health. 

Brain Tumor Information & Resources

Learn more and find additional support through the following resources:

American Brain Tumor Association – Information and advocacy

TriadBeHeadStrong – Compassion, support and services for people affected by brain tumors in the Piedmont Triad