{"id":79,"date":"2012-05-14T18:40:00","date_gmt":"2012-05-14T22:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/med-neurosurgery.sites.unc.edu\/services\/brain-tumors\/"},"modified":"2025-07-22T14:53:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T18:53:19","slug":"brain-tumors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/neurosurgery\/services\/brain-tumors\/","title":{"rendered":"Brain Tumor Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Common signs of a brain tumor in adults include frequent and severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, vision difficulty, seizures, confusion, and balance problems. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your primary care provider. A neurological exam and medical imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan, will be used to confirm the presence of a brain tumor.<\/p>\n

UNC belongs to three brain tumor consortia: the\u00a0Brain Tumor Trials Collaborative<\/a>\u00a0(BTTC), the\u00a0Alliance<\/a>\u00a0(Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology), and\u00a0CERN<\/a>\u00a0(Collaborative Ependymoma Research Network). UNC also has a robust brain tumor research<\/a> program with over a dozen labs dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors. Learn more about brain tumor research at UNC Medical Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Brain Tumor Treatment at UNC Health<\/h2>\n

Brain tumor treatment is guided by several key factors, including the tumor\u2019s size, type, and location. Our multidisciplinary brain tumor team carefully considers each of these elements to develop a personalized treatment plan for every patient.<\/p>\n

The Department of Neurosurgery plays a key role in UNC\u2019s multidisciplinary Brain Tumor Program. Our neurosurgeons partner with colleagues from neuro-oncology, radiation oncology, neuropathology, neuroimaging, neuropsychiatry, and supportive care to provide the best possible treatment for our patients. We strive to individualize each patient\u2019s care by using a team approach to develop an ideal treatment strategy.<\/p>\n

During surgery, your neurosurgeon will remove as much of the brain tumor as safely possible, with the goal of complete removal. Your neurosurgeon will discuss the benefits and risks of brain tumor surgery with you during a consultation visit.<\/p>\n

In cases where surgical removal of the tumor is not possible, a procedure called a stereotactic needle biopsy may be performed to collect a tissue sample of the tumor.<\/p>\n

\"BrainMultidisciplinary Neuro-Oncology Clinic at UNC Health<\/h2>\n

UNC Health\u2019s multidisciplinary neuro-oncology clinic offers streamlined, high quality care for patients with brain tumors and spine tumors by bringing all of the tumor specialists together in one convenient clinic location.<\/p>\n

UNC Neurosurgery faculty members will collaborate with other specialists from UNC Health to provide comprehensive care for all patients treated at the neuro oncology clinic. This team approach will allow our physicians to address each individual patient\u2019s needs, and then make an informed decision on the most effective treatment.<\/p>\n

Brain Tumor Surgery at UNC Health<\/h2>\n

A craniotomy is a common surgery used by our neurosurgeons to treat diseases and abnormalities of the brain, including brain tumors. During the procedure, part of the bone from the skull is removed to access the area of the brain with the tumor. Surgeons will remove the brain tumor and collaborate with neuropathology to get as much patient specific information as possible from the tumor tissue.<\/p>\n

In some cases, the brain tumor causes a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, which can cause pressure on the brain. If this occurs, your neurosurgeon may recommend surgically placing a shunt to relieve pressure and safely drain the excess fluid away from the brain.<\/p>\n

Embolization may be performed on a brain tumor patient prior to the removal of a brain tumor to cut off blood supply to the tumor, thus reducing blood loss during removal and making the surgical site easier to access.<\/p>\n

Endoscopic brain surgery is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat brain tumors. Because this procedure is minimally invasive, patients experience a faster recovery and reduced risk of damage to the brain and a reduced risk of side effects.<\/p>\n

In malignant (cancerous) types of tumors, radiation is often used with or without an open surgery. There are many types of radiation with some being very focused in one area (Cyberknife), and your surgeon and radiation oncologist will work closely with you to determine the most effective treatment plan for your specific needs.<\/p>\n

Rehabilitation may be necessary for some brain tumor patients following their surgery. Talk with your surgery team to find out which brain tumor surgery is right for you.<\/p>\n

GammaTile Therapy at UNC Health<\/span><\/h3>\n

The current standard of care for brain tumors is tumor resection, often followed by radiation, or chemotherapy. Patients typically need to wait 2-5 weeks after resection surgery before starting radiation treatments.<\/p>\n

Patients receiving radiation therapy are then required to make regular trips to the hospital for treatment, and with radiation comes side effects including hair loss, weakened immunity, and nausea. For some patients, GammaTile therapy can eliminate these side effects and the need to travel back to the hospital on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

UNC Health is the leading center in the Triangle for this technology.<\/p>\n

What is GammaTile Therapy?<\/h4>\n

GammaTile is an FDA-cleared, surgically targeted radiation therapy for patients with newly diagnosed malignant neoplasms and recurrent intracranial neoplasms, including primary and metastatic tumors.<\/p>\n

During a resection surgery, the GammaTile is placed directly at the site of the tumor cavity after the removal of the tumor is complete. The GammaTile immediately begins targeting residual tumor cells before they can significantly replicate. Because the therapy is targeted and delivered directly to the tumor site, patients receive a lower overall level of exposure of normal tissue to radiation. This treatment option is especially beneficial for patients with recurrent brain tumors who have already received high levels of radiation therapy.<\/p>\n

GammaTile patients typically experience less of the symptoms associated with radiation therapy, including hair loss and nausea. Patients also do not need to make frequent trips back to the hospital for treatments. UNC Health is currently enrolling patients in the ROADS Clinical Study<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Omniscient Neurotechnology\u2019s Quicktome\u2122 Technology at UNC Health<\/h3>\n

UNC Health is one of the first hospitals in the nation and the first in the state of North Carolina to utilize Quicktome\u2122, an FDA-cleared platform that allows clinicians to visualize and understand a patient\u2019s brain networks which are responsible for everything from language to movement to thought. This technology allows our neurosurgeons to make informed decisions during surgery with the goal of protecting and preserving brain function for each patient.<\/p>\n

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Neurofibromatosis Program at UNC Health<\/h3>\n

UNC Health has a Children\u2019s Tumor Foundation credited neurofibromatosis (NF) program. Most of our patients have NF1, but our providers also see NF2 patients. Faculty participate in the NF Children\u2019s Tumor Foundation meetings and participate in the Shine a Light NF Walk each year. The NF program at UNC Health was formed by Dr. R. Greenwood, and is currently co-run by Dr. Eric Creed and Dr. Soma Sengupta<\/a>. Dr. Sengupta (adult) and Dr. Kram (pediatric) are both neuro-oncology clinical trialists, and both have run clinical trials for NF patients.<\/p>\n

Neurofibromatosis Team at UNC Health<\/h4>\n

Neurology
\n<\/strong>Dr. Eric Creed<\/a> \u2013 Co-Director, Adult NF1, general care
\nDr. Nathaniel Wooten<\/a> and Mary Clay Federspiel MSN, CPNP-PC<\/a> – Pediatric NF1, general care<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Neurosurgery
\n<\/strong>Dr. Mark Attiah<\/a> – NF peripheral nerve neurosurgeon
\n<\/strong>Dr. Carlos David<\/a> – NF2 vestibular schwannomas\/skull base
\nDr. Michael Galgano<\/a> – Spinal tumors<\/p>\n

Neuro-oncology
\n<\/strong>Dr. Soma Sengupta<\/a> – Co-Director, Adult NF1 and NF2 patients, neuro-oncologic care
\nDr. David Kram<\/a> – Pediatric NF1 and NF2 patients, Neuro-oncology<\/p>\n

Orthopedics
\n<\/strong>Dr. Robert Esther<\/a><\/p>\n

Neuro-ophthalmology
\n<\/strong>Dr. Gabriella Szatm\u00e1ry<\/a><\/p>\n

Dermatology\u00a0<\/strong>
\nDr. Elizabeth Nieman<\/a><\/p>\n

Genetics
\n<\/strong>Dr. Arti Pandya<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Brain Tumor Research at UNC Health<\/h2>\n

You can learn more about brain tumor research at UNC Health on our brain tumor research<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

Brain Tumor Resources<\/h2>\n

Glioblastoma Q&A with Director of neuro oncology at UNC Health, Dr. Soma Sengupta on Roon<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

UNC Neurosurgery also offers pediatric brain tumor treatment<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Our Multidisciplinary Brain Tumor Team:<\/h2>\n

Neurosurgery
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\n \"Nelson\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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\n Nelson Oyesiku, MD, PhD, FACS <\/a>\n <\/h2> \n \n

Chair, Department of Neurosurgery
\nVan L. Weatherspoon, Jr. Eminent Distinguished Professor<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n
\n \t\t\n
\n \"Matthew\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
\n

\n Matthew Ewend, MD <\/a>\n <\/h2> \n \n

Chief Clinical Officer, UNC Health
\nPresident, UNC Physicians
\nKay M. and Van L. Weatherspoon Distinguished Professor of Neurosurgery<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n
\n \t\t\n
\n \"Dominique\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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\n Dominique Higgins, MD, PhD <\/a>\n <\/h2> \n \n

Director, Adult Neurosurgical Oncology
\nAssistant Professor<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n
\n \t\t\n
\n \"Kimberly\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
\n

\n Kimberly Miller, RN <\/a>\n <\/h2> \n \n

Neurosurgery Oncology Nurse Navigator<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

\n
\n \t\t\n
\n \"Yasmeen\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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\n Yasmeen Rauf, MD <\/a>\n <\/h2> \n \n

Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n

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\n \t\t\n
\n \"Dr.\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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\n Jeremy Rich, MD, MHS, MBA <\/a>\n <\/h2> \n \n

Deputy Director for Research & Chief Scientific Officer at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
\nNominated Professor of Neurology<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n \n