Brain & Skull-Base Tumors 

Not all brain and skull-base tumors are cancerous (malignant), and there are more promising approaches today than ever. Medical research at the Methodist Neuroscience Institute and our partnership with The University of Tennessee Health Science Center allow us to bring leading academic medicine to our patients. 

Our clinical trials uncover potential medicines and other treatments for brain tumors, including glioblastoma. National research for brain and skull-base tumors is exploring encouraging new approaches in radiation therapy and immunotherapy, including: 

• GammaTile™ – Surgically placed, targeted radiation used after a tumor has been removed.  

If you or a loved one is facing a cancer diagnosis, you can get leading-edge care and personal attention from our team of brain and skull-base tumor specialists. You benefit from the expertise of doctors specializing in neurosurgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, medical oncology and radiation oncology. We collaborate extensively to ensure you get complete care that is tailored to support your individual situation. Your customized treatment plan may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, pain management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling and support groups.

Expert Brain & Skull-Base Tumor Treatment 

When a tumor starts in the brain (the primary tumor) or begins somewhere else in the body and spreads (metastasizes) to the brain, you need a skilled team to remove as much of the tumor as possible while minimizing potential damage to the healthy brain tissue. Our teams are led by a neurosurgeon and may include Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeons, neurologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, neuroradiologists, and other specialists.

You can count on your specialized team to collaborate with other experts who evaluate, diagnose, and treat brain and skull-base tumors. The breadth of experience, knowledge and perspectives allows us to treat the most complex conditions and deliver the highest level of care. For noncancerous tumors, we evaluate whether they need to be removed and monitor them for signs of developing problems. 

Brain & Skull-Base Tumors We Treat 

Brain and skull tumors are located deep in the structures of the head, often affecting nerves, blood vessels and areas involved in speech, movement, balance, memory, vision and headaches.

Types of Brain & Skull-Base Tumors 

• Acoustic neuroma – Noncancerous tumor that grows in the ear and can affect hearing and balance.
• Astrocytoma – Develops within the supportive tissues of the brain. Glioblastoma is the most common astrocytoma.
• Chondrosarcoma – Tumor that forms in bone or cartilage, the connective tissue near bones.
• Chordoma – Slow-growing tumor along the spine, which can extend into bone.
• Epidermoid tumor – Noncancerous, slow-growing cyst caused by skin cells trapped in the brain and spinal cord during development.
• Glomus jugulare – Usually a slow-growing, noncancerous tumor that grows in the temporal bone, involving the middle and inner ear.
• Meningioma – Usually a noncancerous, slow-growing tumor that forms on membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
• Oligodendroglioma – Grows from cells that line spinal fluid passageways.
• Paranasal sinus tumor – Tumor that grows in the sinuses behind the nose.
• Pituitary adenomas – Noncancerous and cancerous tumors in the pituitary gland that can secrete active hormones, raising hormone levels.
• Rathke’s cleft cyst – Noncancerous, fluid-filled growths that develop between the parts of the pituitary gland at the base of the brain.

Treatments for Brain & Skull-Base Tumors 

At the Methodist Neuroscience Institute, our team will develop a treatment approach to give you the best results. Your treatment plan may include one or more therapies, which means you may work with a few specialists. Neurosurgeons use open and minimally invasive diagnostic and surgical techniques to treat benign and cancerous tumors. ENT physicians (otolaryngologists) partner with neurosurgeons to help gain access to the tumors via nasal passages. Medical oncologists use the latest chemotherapy and immunotherapy methods to treat and shrink the size of the tumors. And radiation oncologists use highly focused beams of radiation energy to target and destroy tumors while preserving healthy tissue.   

We offer nonsurgical, minimally invasive, and surgical approaches, including:   

• Endoscopic surgery via nasal passages
• Open surgery by removing a portion of the skull
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy

When To See an Expert for Brain & Skull-Base Tumors  

Talk to your doctor about seeing a neurologist if you notice neurological changes such as muscle weakness or mobility and coordination problems.

You should make an appointment with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:

• Headache that won’t go away after using over-the-counter medicine.
• Headache along with vomiting.
• Seizure that causes tingling and numbness in your arm or leg.
• Confusion or trouble speaking.
• Weakness in your face, arms or legs.

Brain tumor symptoms can be similar to other medical conditions, so it’s crucial to find out what’s causing them. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and how long you’ve been experiencing them. Seeing your doctor can ensure you get the care you need.