At UCSF, brain tumor therapy involves interdisciplinary collaboration among neurological surgery, radiation oncology, medical neuro-oncology, and Gamma Knife® radiosurgery, and innovative therapies developed by researchers in UCSF's Brain Tumor Research Center (BTRC) and Michael Douglas Pediatric BTRC.

During surgery to resect brain tumors, we use brain-mapping techniques to identify and avoid injury to sites of language, motor, and sensory function. These techniques permit the surgeon to remove the tumor and epileptic foci to the maximum extent possible, while minimizing injury to the surrounding brain. We also offer the most advanced surgical navigation systems, which permit the greatest precision in tumor resection. Currently we have an intraoperative MRI unit permitting even greater precision in localizing a tumor during surgery. While our surgical trials are continually evolving, newer approaches include convection-enhanced delivery (CED) of small molecules toxic to tumor cells and post-operative immnuotherapy trials.

In conjunction with the Clinical Neuro-Oncology Program, the Brain Tumor Surgery Program provides patients with the most advanced brain tumor therapies available, together with neuropsychological consultation and close ties with organizations sponsoring support groups and many other resources for patients with brain tumors.

More information about UCSF Cancer Center clinical trials for adults and children