Types of Brain Tumors We Treat with Radiation
As the originators of the CyberKnife radiosurgery technology, Stanford neurosurgery and radiation oncology experts are pioneers in the field of radiation therapy for brain tumors. We offer a wide range of radiation therapies as primary or adjuvant (secondary treatment after surgery or chemotherapy) treatment for many types of brain tumors, including:
Metastatic Brain Tumors
These cancerous (malignant) tumors are cancer that begins in another part of the body and spreads (metastasizes) to the brain.
Primary Brain Tumors
Less common than metastatic brain tumors, primary brain tumors begin growing in the brain and can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Some types of primary brain tumors include:
- Meningiomas: Tumors (usually noncancerous) that develop in the meninges (protective layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord)
- Pituitary tumors: Tumors (most common type is noncancerous) that develop in the pituitary gland, which controls hormone production in many other glands and organs
- Acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas): Tumors (also usually noncancerous) that grow within Schwann cells in the protective layers of certain types of nerves; in this case, the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain
- Glioblastomas: Malignant tumors that develop from glial cells, which surround, support and insulate neurons in the brain; the most common brain cancer in adults
Learn more about primary brain tumors.
Spinal Tumors
Tumors that grow in the spinal cord, spinal column (backbone) or nerve roots stemming from the spinal cord are called spinal tumors. They can be noncanerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant), and primary or metastatic. Learn more about care for spinal tumors at the Neurosurgical Spinal Tumors Clinic.