Whether you’ve been diagnosed with a cancerous or non-cancerous brain tumor, the specialists at Miami Neuroscience Institute have the expertise to find the right treatment for you. We believe in treating brain tumors aggressively, but safely, and work closely with colleagues at Miami Cancer Institute to find the most effective treatment plan.

At Miami Neuroscience Institute, brain tumor patients have access to the latest treatment technologies and medical therapies. Each patient also receives a comprehensive evaluation from specialists, including neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists and radiation oncologists, across Miami Neuroscience Institute and Miami Cancer Institute. This collaborative approach ensures we can tailor your treatment to your specific tumor type, needs and preferences.

What type of brain tumors are treated at Miami Neuroscience Institute?

We treat both cancerous (malignant) and noncancerous (benign) adult and childhood brain tumors at Miami Neuroscience Institute, including:

• Primary brain tumors
• Gliomas
• Skull base tumors
• Meningiomas
• Ependymomas
• Metastatic (secondary) brain tumors

How are brain tumors diagnosed?

If your doctor believes you may have a brain tumor, he or she will usually have you undergo an imaging test. These tests can include CT scans, MRIs or a PET-MRI. 

Your doctor may also have you undergo a tumor biopsy to diagnose the exact type of brain tumor. This will allow your team to develop a personalized and more effective treatment plan.

How are brain tumors treated at Miami Neuroscience Institute?

At Miami Neuroscience Institute, we aim to find the safest and most aggressive treatment option for your specific tumor type. Whether that aggressive treatment is surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of therapies, our close collaboration with Miami Cancer Institute allows us to seamlessly coordinate every step of your care. 

Some of the treatments we use include:

• Awake craniotomies
• Fluorescence-guided surgery
• Endoscopic surgery
• Gamma Knife
• Proton therapy
• Chemotherapy

If you undergo surgery for a brain tumor, your surgical team will also have access to an intraoperative MRI, which allows specially trained neurophysiologists to track brain function during surgery. This monitoring also gives neurosurgeons the ability to re-scan your head, neck and brain to assess whether an entire tumor has been removed, or if more surgery is needed to remove any remaining tumor. Miami Neuroscience Institute’s intraoperative monitoring program is certified by the American Board of Neurophysiology Monitoring (ABNM).

Our approach

When you come to Miami Neuroscience Institute for brain tumor treatment, you can expect:

• A team that is dedicated to treating your brain tumor safely, but aggressively, to help you live disease-free for as long as possible. 
• Seamless collaboration between neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuro-oncologists and radiation oncologists, all with the goal of providing more personalized and effective treatment. Our partnership with Miami Cancer Institute plays a vital role in treating brain tumors.
• Access to the latest therapies for brain tumors, including many experimental treatments and clinical trials not yet widely available.

What are the benefits of tumor boards?

Our brain tumor board meets once a week to discuss any new patient cases. During these meetings, a diverse set of specialists from all areas of neurology and cancer care come together to determine the right treatment plan for each patient. This allows for a comprehensive evaluation that can lead to a more effective treatment.

What is the recovery process like after brain tumor surgery?

The extent of your recovery will depend on the type of brain tumor you have and its location. Most patients will stay in the hospital for two to five days, and we aim to get you mobile as soon as possible after surgery. Your recovery will include pain management and may also include some rehabilitation, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy.

Do the neurosurgeons at Miami Neuroscience Institute perform surgery on pediatric brain tumor patients?

We treat both adults and pediatric brain tumor patients at Miami Neuroscience Institute. Our skilled team has the expertise and the compassion to ensure that children with brain tumors feel safe and involved in their care.