Brain and Spine Tumors

If you or a loved one suspects or is already diagnosed with brain or spine cancer, our experts offer advanced care right here in your community. 

WMCHealth’s premier neuro-oncology team specializes in diagnosing and treating brain and spine tumors. As an academic medical center, we are pioneers of the latest developments and research in cancer care. 

What Are Brain and Spine Tumors?

Tumors that affect the brain and spinal cord are part of a broader group of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. They occur when cells inside the brain or spine replicate uncontrollably and form a mass that can spread to surrounding tissue.

Not all tumors found within the brain or spine are cancerous. Noncancerous (benign) tumors generally are slow-growing and don’t spread. When a brain or spine tumor is cancerous, symptoms may develop over time. Cancerous tumors may also begin as cancer cells in other parts of the body that spread to the brain or spine.

If you have any concerns, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider, or reach out to our specialists directly.

Diagnosing Brain and Spine Tumors

If your doctor suspects a potential neurological condition, they may order various tests to confirm whether you have a brain or spine tumor, including:

• Physical exam: Checks your overall health to help rule out other medical issues.
• Neurological exam: Checks your cognitive function (memory, thinking, speech, awareness, senses) and motor skills (strength, reflexes, coordination, balance) to see how well your brain, spinal cord, and nerves are working.
• Personal and family medical history: Looks for prior cancer diagnoses, past radiation exposure, immune system disorders, and inherited genetic syndromes to help understand potential sources of symptoms.
• Imaging tests such as a CT scan, MRI, or X-ray: Provide a detailed view of your brain or spine and surrounding areas to locate tumors and determine whether they have spread.
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): Collects a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid to look for cancer cells, changes in protein or pressure, and signs of inflammation or infection that may cause tumor-like symptoms.

If a mass is found, your doctor may perform a biopsy (tissue sample) to diagnose the type of tumor and determine whether it is cancerous or benign. They may also resect (surgically remove) the mass if possible. These results will help your care team create an effective treatment plan.

Multidisciplinary Care for Brain and Spine Tumors

Brain and spine tumor care at Westchester Medical Center brings together multiple specialties, including:

• Neuro-oncologists: Diagnose and treat tumors of the brain and spinal cord, manage your care before, during, and after treatment.
• Neurosurgeons: Perform biopsies to help confirm a diagnosis and advanced surgery to remove or debulk tumors and relieve pressure, guided by real-time nerve monitoring to protect vital functions.
• Radiation oncologists: Use radiation therapy to destroy brain or spine tumor cells, shrink growths, or relieve pressure and pain.
• Imaging and pathology specialists: Help guide treatment for brain and spine tumors.

Your care team works together to determine the most effective treatment plan for you, while protecting your neurological function and quality of life as much as possible. You receive individualized attention as your team discusses options and helps you understand your care.

Treatment for Brain and Spine Tumors

WMCHealth provides the full spectrum of treatment options for brain and spine tumors, and our specialists may recommend a combination of treatments. Your care team’s collaboration connects surgical care, radiation treatment, and ongoing neuro-oncology care when needed.

As an academic medical center, WMCHealth provides access to the latest advancements in brain and spine tumor care. This includes minimally invasive approaches when appropriate, which often allow for shorter recovery times and lower risks.

Monitoring

Small, slow-growing, and noncancerous tumors may be monitored with ongoing follow-ups and imaging. Your care team will explain when monitoring may be appropriate and what follow-up involves.

Surgery for Brain and Spine Tumors

When it is determined that surgery is the most effective option for treating a cancerous CNS tumor, the experienced neurosurgeons at WMCHealth offer the following procedures:

• Craniotomy: Temporarily removes a section of the skull (bone flap) to remove all or part of a brain tumor.
• Laser ablation: Also called laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), this minimally invasive surgery uses a thin laser probe inserted through a small opening in the skull and MRI guidance to precisely heat and destroy tumor tissue.
• Neuroendoscopy: A minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin tube with a camera (endoscope) to reach and remove tumors through a small hole in the skull, the nose, or the mouth.

We also offer novel procedures and use the latest technology to ensure you get the best treatment for your exact needs. These include:

• GammaTile brachytherapy: This targeted therapy implants small seeds of radiation directly into the tumor cavity to reduce radiation exposure in surrounding tissue.
• Exoscope: Allow surgeons to view brain tumors in high definition.
• Gleolan: This fluorescent agent illuminates brain tumor cells, allowing for a more complete tumor removal.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy remaining cancer cells, shrink tumors, or prevent further growth. This may be used in conjunction with surgery or as an alternative to surgery, depending on your needs.

Radiation therapies available at WMCHealth include:

• Stereotactic radiosurgery: A non-invasive radiation therapy that precisely targets brain tumors with dozens of focused, intersecting radiation beams. WMCHealth uses TrueBeam, which is the latest technology and is easier for patients to tolerate.
• External beam radiation therapy (EBRT): Directs high-energy X-rays, photon beams, or proton beams from outside the body directly into the tumor to destroy cancer cells while protecting healthy brain tissue.

Medical Therapies

Chemotherapy may be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to surgery and radiation. It is an effective treatment for some cancerous brain and spine tumors. However, some chemo drugs cannot pass from the bloodstream to the brain and may not be as effective as other options.

Some tumors may also be treated with a medical device called Optune, which limits tumor cells’ ability to grow and divide. Your doctor will help determine whether this approach is right for your needs.