Brain Tumors

How common are brain tumors?

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 350,000 people in the U.S. live with a primary brain tumor. Brain tumors are the most common form of solid tumor in children. Physicians diagnose more than 3,000 cases of brain and spinal tumors annually in children under age 20. In most cases, primary brain tumors (tumors that originate in the brain) have an unknown cause.

What are the types of brain tumors?

You may have one of many different types of brain tumors, cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). In some cases, genetic diseases cause primary brain tumors.

Metastatic tumors originate from somewhere else in the body and spread to the brain. They result from another known cancer in your body, such as lung cancer, lymphoma or melanoma that spread (metastasize) to your brain.

What are the symptoms of a brain tumor?

The symptoms you experience with a brain tumor depend on the tumor’s location, type, size and rate of growth. Common symptoms of brain tumors include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Vision problems
• Hearing problems
• Changes in motor function, balance or behavioral and cognitive issues

How does IU Health treat brain tumors?

At IU Health, our physicians use a team approach that draws on the expertise of:

• Neurologists
• Neurosurgeons
• Neuro-oncologists
• Neuropathologists
• Neuropsychologists
• Neuroradiologists

Your physicians will work with the IU School of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health to deliver specialized, individualized care and leading-edge research.

Brain tumors, cancerous or not, need special care because of their complexity. Highly trained IU Health physicians will provide immediate and long-term therapies and treatments to reduce or remove your tumor and preserve your nerve function. Learn more about complex brain tumor treatment at IU Health.

IU Health physicians will provide you with state-of-the-art treatments that deliver targeted doses of radiation and use the latest surgical techniques available for you.

To deliver the best outcomes, IU Health physicians will perform comprehensive diagnostic tests to fully understand your condition. Your treatment plan will follow and may include medicines, neurosurgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Diagnostic tests and treatments may include a neurological exam. Your physician may use a variety of imaging and other tests to locate, diagnose and monitor your tumor during treatment. These tests may include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scans
• Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) is an imaging test that shows blood flow patterns to different tissues. It can help to identify tumors that grow new blood vessels.
• Laboratory tests examining your blood and urine will provide more information about your tumor.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Your physician may prescribe a variety of medicines to treat symptoms related to your brain tumor. These can include anticonvulsants to reduce seizures, pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling, and anti-depressants for anxiety and depression.

Neurosurgery

• Intraoperative MRI scanners allow your neurosurgeon to perform more precise operations.
  
• The Zeiss OPMI Pentero is a neurosurgery microscope that uses intraoperative florescence to give your surgeon a clearer picture of blood vessels.
• The NICO Myriad device is used to remove hard-to-reach brain tumors.