Brain & Spine

Led by highly skilled neurosurgeons, the team we've assembled for the Brain Tumor Center at Methodist is among the finest in the world. It's also a team that has performed more neurosurgeries than any other hospital in Tennessee. That means more people are referred to us and trust us when they need critical care than anywhere else in this part of the country.

Our areas of expertise include:

• Gliomas
• Meningiomas
• Schwannomas
• Metatastic tumors

Our team consists of neurosurgeons, neurologists, medical and radiation oncologists, interventional neuroradiologists, neuro pathologists and specially-trained neuro nurses.

Our partnership with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center continues to enhance both our clinical services and research and provides one of the finest medical education programs available anywhere to our neurosurgery residents.

And each and every one of our team members are active in continuing medical education and professional organizations to ensure they stay on the very top of their field and never stop learning how to better take care of you.

Brain Tumor Treatments

Treatment can involve surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Brain tumors are best treated by a team involving a neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, oncologist, or neuro-oncologist, and other health care providers, such as neurologists and social workers.

Early treatment often improves the chance of a good outcome. Treatment, however, depends on the size and type of tumor and the general health of the patient. The goals of treatment may be to cure the tumor, relieve symptoms, and improve brain function or the person's comfort. 

Surgery is often necessary for most primary brain tumors. Some tumors may be completely removed. Those that are deep inside the brain or that enter brain tissue may be debulked instead of entirely removed. Debulking is a procedure to reduce the tumor's size.

Tumors can be difficult to remove completely by surgery alone, because the tumor invades surrounding brain tissue much like roots from a plant spread through soil. When the tumor cannot be removed, surgery may still help reduce pressure and relieve symptoms. 

Radiation therapy is used for certain tumors. Chemotherapy may be used along with surgery or radiation treatment. Other medications used to treat primary brain tumors in children may include:

• Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone to reduce brain swelling
• Osmotic diuretics, such as urea or mannitol to reduce brain swelling and pressure
• Anticonvulsants, such as evetiracetam (Keppra) to reduce seizures
• Pain medications
• Antacids or histamine blockers to control stress ulcers

Comfort measures, safety measures, physical therapy, and occupational therapy may be needed to improve quality of life. The patient may need counseling, support groups, and similar measures to help cope with the disorder. Patients may also consider enrolling in a clinical trial after talking with their treatment team.

Call your health care provider if you develop any new, persistent headaches or other symptoms of a brain tumor. Call your provider or go to the emergency room if you start having seizures, or suddenly develop stupor (reduced alertness), vision changes, or speech changes.

To find a Methodist affiliated neurosurgeon in Memphis, Tennessee, please use our physician locatoror call 888.777.5959.