Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerve tumors, the UC Irvine Health Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program can provide the most advanced surgical and non-surgical solutions. Our specialists are leaders in the delivery of state-of-the-art, compassionate care, tailored to each patient's needs.
As the only comprehensive brain tumor program in Orange County, and one of only a few in Southern California, you have access to our world-class team of experts in neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, psychology and psychiatry who will provide complete care for all your needs.
Our physicians are also at the forefront of research in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all types of primary and metastatic central nervous system tumors. Our research includes experimental brain tumor clinical studies.
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Our skilled team of neuro-oncologists and neurosurgeons, as well as specialists in radiation oncology, neuropathology, neuroradiology and neuropsychology, are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with all neurological tumor types, including germinomas, glioblastomas, gliomas, primary central nervous system lymphomas, meningiomas, metastatic brain tumors and more.
Treatments
At UC Irvine Health, we take innovative approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of all neurological tumor types, including patient access to leading-edge clinical trials. Treatment plans are discussed regularly and in depth, drawing on the extensive expertise of our multidisciplinary team of physicians and researchers.
Learn more about the treatments we offer patients with brain or other neurological tumors ›
At the UC Irvine Health Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program, adult and pediatric patients are treated by the most experienced neuro-oncology team in Orange County, and the only one staffed with board-certified, fellowship-trained neuro-oncologists and highly skilled neurosurgeons.
Our team also includes specialists in:
- Medical oncology
- Neuropathology
- Neuroradiology
- Radiation oncology
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- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Neuropsychology
- Neuropsychiatry
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Advanced Technology
We use state-of-the-science technologies to diagnose and treat brain tumors, including:
- The first 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner in Orange County
- The first intraoperative magnetic resonance (IMR) scanner in Orange and San Diego counties
- Functional MRI (fMRI)
- Perfusion MRI
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scans
- Multivoxel MR spectroscopy (MRS)
- Varian Trilogy™ linear accelerator
- Gamma Knife® PerfeXion™ stereotactic radiosurgery unit
These technologies enable us to perform a thorough workup and develop a detailed surgical plan for each patient. They also allow our specialists to access areas of the brain that are hard to reach—or formerly inoperable—through image-guided, minimally invasive skull base tumor endoscopies.
Clinical trials
Working at Orange County's only university medical center, we are dedicated to advancing medicine through active brain tumor research into the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all types of primary and metastatic central nervous system tumors, including experimental brain tumor clinical studies.
The brain tumor program, which is part of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides patients with access to the latest treatments, therapies and clinical trials. The cancer center is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center in Orange County and one of only 41 nationwide.
UC Irvine Health patients diagnosed with brain, spine or peripheral nerve tumors may be eligible for clinical trials being conducted by the physicians in our Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program, which is part of our Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Through these clinical trials, our specialists working at Orange County's only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center offer our patients access to leading-edge treatments and therapies not generally available elsewhere.
Learn more about our research and clinical trials ›
Our patients benefit from the close collaboration of the area's most skilled neuro-oncology experts. Our team includes:
Medical neuro-oncologists
Fellowship-trained medical neuro-oncologists provide comprehensive evaluation and medical care for brain tumor patients. Whether the problem is seizures, peripheral neuropathy, cognitive difficulties—or the need for chemotherapy, radiation therapy or experimental therapy—these specialists are experienced in tailoring optimal individual treatment plans for each patient.
Our medical neuro-oncologists are:
Surgical neuro-oncologists
Our neurosurgeons have advanced training and experience in all types of brain, spine and spinal cord tumor surgeries. Our neurosurgeons are experts in advanced microsurgery, image-guided surgery, awake cortical brain mapping, skull base endoscopic and microsurgical resections, brachytherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery.
Our neurosurgeons are:
Radiation oncologists
These physicians have advanced training in the safe and effective delivery of therapeutic radiation, which is a cornerstone of advanced, multi-modality malignant brain tumor therapy. They perform intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), an advanced technique that spares normal tissue while administering the highest possible therapeutic dose to the tumor.
Our radiation oncologists are:
Neuropathologists
These pathologists have advanced training in diagnosing diseases of the brain and the nervous system. By studying the biology and molecular gene expression of biopsy tissue samples, they can determine the exact type of tumor, which can guide treatment decisions.
Our neuropathologists are:
Neuroradiologists
Neuroradiologists evaluate abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord by interpreting computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and angiograms. These imaging techniques can help to distinguish tumor progression from treatment response, define the outer limits of infiltrating tumors, and allow neurosurgeons to plan the safest possible procedures. Our neuroradiologists also can deliver chemotherapy just to tumor blood vessels or embolize (break apart) tumors in preparation for surgery.
Our neuroradiologists are:
Other team members include:
- Neuropsychologists, who are trained to help individuals cope with the psychological, mental and emotional stresses and conditions associated with brain tumors. They can help patients maintain and improve their quality of life during treatment and rehabilitation.
- Medical neuro-oncology nurses, who are certified in oncology and skilled in caring for patients with brain and spinal tumors in all phases of their treatment.
- Clinical nurses, who are specially trained patient and family educators, responsible for coordinating essential clinical care and providing vital patient and family support services.
- Social workers, who provide information, support and advocacy for patients and their families. They may perform psycho-social assessments and focus on how you and your family are functioning psychologically and socially. They also may serve as an informational resource about insurance policies and help you learn what is covered by your health plan.