A metastatic tumor is cancer that did not begin in the brain, but instead developed in some other part of the body and progressed to the brain or spinal cord.

Treatment for metastatic tumors aims to slow progression of the cancer and manage symptoms that harm your quality of life.

Our doctors use 3 main categories of treatment for metastatic tumors: surgery, radiation therapy, and drug therapy. We often recommend a combination of these treatments, based on the specific details discovered during diagnosis. You and your doctor work together to identify the best option for you, based on factors such as:

• Size of the tumor
• Location
• Aggressiveness of the cancer

When making recommendations, your Stanford doctors can choose from a range of specialized diagnostic and treatment approaches, including for tissue sampling (biopsy) and surgery.

Improvements in imaging technology, for example, have provided surgeons with valuable tools to locate, identify, and learn more about brain tumors. These image-guided approaches allow them to “map” the brain and separate tumors from healthy tissue. They can also perform safer, less-invasive procedures. Your team will work with you to identify the best option for you.

Brain tumor imaging »