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Comprehensive Brain Tumor Center

Our Approach to Brain Tumor Treatment

The Johns Hopkins Difference

By partnering with the Comprehensive Brain Tumor Center, you will have access to the most advanced treatment options delivered by the field's leading experts who treat hundreds of brain tumors every year.

Collaboration

25+ specialists across a range of fields convenes weekly to discuss cases, formulate an optimal treatment plan and coordinate care with numerous specialties across Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Discovery and Innovation

Our experts don't just treat brain tumors, they study them in the lab, too, gaining deeper insight into how the disease works and which clinical trials might benefit specific patients. 

Personalization

Our specialists consider many factors that guide their care recommendations, including your medical history, tumor location, type, grade, aggressiveness, tumor genetics and more.

Our Approach to Brain Tumor Care

Addressing the Tumor

Brain tumors may require an array of treatments depending on whether the tumor is cancerous or benign and where in the brain it’s located.

Brain Tumor Surgery

Our neurosurgeons are skilled in many surgical techniques and approaches. They work alongside neuroplastic surgeons to make sure your appearance is preserved after tumor removal.

Neuro-Oncology

Neuro-oncologists are physicians with expertise in nervous system tumors. They can help you develop a comprehensive treatment plan and manage neurological effects of cancer or cancer treatment.

Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncologists are experts in radiation therapies, including targeted radiation used to shrink or halt brain cancer. They help determine the best timing, dose and delivery of radiation treatment.

Imaging

Neuro-radiology and imaging specialists are experts in brain imaging techniques. Accurate imaging helps neuro-oncologists and surgeons make a diagnosis, informs treatment plans and guides surgical and radiation treatments.

Pathology

Pathologists examine the tumor from a sample or after it’s been removed to confirm whether it’s benign or malignant and to determine its grade and classification. They also test the tumor for certain genetic markers to determine its origin.

Genetics

Geneticists analyze the DNA of the tumor cells for genetic mutations. This can help determine if you are a fit for a clinical trial. Genetic counselors offer education and guidance on brain tumors related to genetic conditions.

Supporting You in Brain Tumor Care

Once the tumor has been treated, you may need additional care. Johns Hopkins offers a variety of services to help you feel like you again.

Rehabilitation Therapy

Physical, occupation and speech-language therapists work with you to address speech, swallowing, movement, balance and other impairments resulting from the tumor or tumor treatment.

Hearing and Vision Care

If you develop problems with vision or hearing during brain tumor treatment, specialists in otolaryngology and neuro-ophthalmology can recommend how to restore these senses as much as possible.

Patient and Family Services / Social Work

Patient and family services program at the Kimmel Cancer Center offers emotional support, housing and transportation assistance, help with finances and legal matters, and other day-to-day coping support for people with cancer.

Fertility Preservation

Brain cancer treatment can affect fertility. If it’s a concern for you, our team of specialists can help you choose the right fertility preservation method.

Palliative Care

Palliative care specialists help make sure you are comfortable and pain-free during your brain tumor treatment, as well as support you and your family in many ways as you are dealing with an illness.

Brain Tumor Treatment Advances

Brain tumors researchers and clinicians are developing new therapies to improve patients' treatment outcomes and minimize common side effects. Explore recent innovations:

3D Robotic Arm Technology

Johns Hopkins Bayview was the first hospital in Maryland to successfully complete a neurosurgical procedure using 3D robotic arm technology. This equipment is outfitted with an exoscope and features 4K 3D optics and fluorescent visualization for neurosurgery, spine, otolaryngology and reconstructive microsurgery. The use of robotic assistance in surgery has the potential to reduce recovery times, minimize complications and enhance the overall patient experience.

Brain tumor surgeons in the operating room with robotic assistance

Fluorescence-Guided Imaging

Johns Hopkins neurosurgeons use the 5-ALA optical imaging agent to highlight tumor cells during fluorescence-guided surgeries for treatment of high-grade glioma brain tumors.

Surgeon looking at a screen that shows red dye highlighting the tumor.

Proton Therapy

For adults and children with certain types of brain cancer, proton therapy offers precisely targeted radiation that affects the tumor while sparing the healthy tissue.

proton therapy center tour

Intraoperative MRI

Using MRI during surgery helps brain surgeons detect and address any challenges before the patient leaves the operating room.

Intraoperative MRI Featured Slide 1

Brachytherapy

After removing the brain tumor, surgeons place radiotherapy “seeds” directly in the space left behind to prevent the tumor from growing back.

Brachytherapy Featured Slide 2

MRI-guided Laser Ablation

Guided by imaging techniques, surgeons remove the tumor with a laser for more accuracy and optimal preservation of healthy brain tissue

MRIguided Laser Ablation Featured Slide 3

Tumor-treating Fields

Brain tumors grow when their cells multiply in number. Electrical fields painlessly interrupt this process, slowing down the growth of tumors that cannot be removed by surgery alone.

Tumortreating Fields Featured Slide 4

Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery

Devices like tubular retraction systems and certain surgical techniques allow doctors to spare healthy tissue while removing the tumor. These techniques include "eyebrow" (supra-orbital) craniotomy, "keyhole" (retro-signoid) craniotomy, translabyrinthine craniotomy and endonasal endoscopy.

Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery Featured Slide 5

Awake Craniotomies

Brain tumor surgeons can navigate delicate structures of the brain, in some cases while the patient is awake, comfortable and providing feedback to the surgical team to help preserve vital brain function.

Awake Craniotomies Featured Slide 6

Targeted Drug Therapies

Based on a comprehensive genomic profile of your tumor, doctors will select the medications most likely to be effective in homing in on tumor cells and sparing healthy tissues.

Targeted Drug Therapies Featured Slide 7

Intraoperative Chemotherapy

Neurosurgeons can use small, biodegradable discs containing chemotherapy drugs to treat any remaining tumor cells during tumor removal.

Intraoperative Chemotherapy Featured Slide 8

Collaborative Care for Better Outcomes

  • Neuroplastic Surgery

    When a neurosurgeon works alongside a plastic surgeon, you get the best of both worlds: effective treatment for your condition and simultaneous reconstruction of any resulting skull defects.

  • Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center

    Kimmel Cancer Center offers vast resources for those diagnosed with brain cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, radiosurgery, clinical trials and more. Our close collaboration ensures smooth coordination of care for patients who can benefit from these treatments.

  • Proton Therapy

    Many children and adults with certain types of brain cancer can benefit from proton radiation therapy known for its ability to zero-in on the tumor with minimal effects to the surrounding tissue.

From Our Experts More About Our Treatment Approaches

In these videos, our experts across multiple specialties discuss different brain tumor treatment approaches.

Schedule an Appointment

In-person and telemedicine appointments are available for initial consultations and follow-up care.

Learn more about appointments and referrals.

For patients seeking an evaluation for a brain tumor:

Adult Neurosurgery: 410-955-6406 

Pediatric Neurosurgery: 410-955-7337

For patients diagnosed with brain cancer who need a consultation with an oncologist:

Kimmel Cancer Center: 410-955-8964

For international patients traveling to the U.S. to receive care:

 Johns Hopkins Medicine International: +1-410-502-7683

Request an appointment online