Brain Tumor Program
Penn's Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Program has nationally recognized cancer specialists who can diagnose and treat brain and spinal cord tumors.
Brain Tumor Services
One of the special challenges in treating brain tumors with chemotherapy is that there is a natural barrier between the brain and the blood, which blocks many medications from entering the brain. Only certain chemotherapy drugs can cross this blood-brain barrier to treat disease in the nervous system. Many drugs are most effective when used in combination with radiation therapy after surgery. There are many different chemotherapy drugs used for brain tumors, and the medical oncologist at Penn Medicine can recommend the best medication for every patient.
Abramson Cancer Center
The Penn Difference
Penn's interdisciplinary neuro-oncology tumor board consists of all the doctors and health care professionals needed to accurately diagnose brain tumors and oversee their care.
The entire team meets during a weekly conference to review their findings recommend the appropriate treatment plan.
Types of Brain Tumors Treated at Penn Medicine
Penn Medicine offers the latest diagnostic and treatment advances for all types of brain and spinal cord tumors including:
- Astrocytic tumors
- Oligodendroglial tumors
- Mixed gliomas
- Ependymal tumors
- Embryonal cell tumors: medulloblastoma (grade IV)
- Pineal parenchymal tumors
- Meningeal tumors
- Germ cell tumors
- Tumors of the sellar region: craniopharyngioma (grade I) and pituitary tumor
- Recurrent brain tumors
- CNS Lymphoma
Brain Tumor Physicians and Team
Hematologists/oncologists that specialize in brain tumors include:
Learn more about brain tumor services at Penn
Clinical Trials
Today, more and more people are surviving cancer. It is because of clinical trials, many of which are conducted at Penn Medicine, that patients are benefiting from breakthrough therapies and treatments. These new advances in cancer treatment are occurring every day, giving patients hope that even greater discoveries lie ahead.