Glioblastoma and Other Primary Brain Cancers
For More InformationWhether you are recently diagnosed with a primary brain tumor or glioblastoma or are seeking a second opinion, the doctors, support staff, and researchers at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center join your fight to treat it. When compared to other brain tumor centers in the world, we:
- Conduct more groundbreaking research
- Have more active clinical trials
- See more people with brain tumors and brain cancer
- Have more experience with more types of brain tumors
- Provide more innovative treatments
We take an aggressive, team approach to your care. Our goal is to detect and treat brain tumors, and ultimately to provide long-term survival to all of our patients.
Tests
We conduct a series of comprehensive tests to properly diagnose your brain tumor and develop your customized treatment plan. Most tests can be performed on the same day.
Neurological Exam
This assesses your hearing (auditory brainstem response, or ABR), balance, strength, coordination, reflexes, vision, swallowing, and ability to think and remember.
CT, MRI, PET, Angiography
A variety of tests may be performed to create images that help detect and diagnose your type of brain tumor.
Biopsy
A small sample of the tumor may be removed to pinpoint your diagnosis.
Duke Health offers locations throughout the Triangle. Find one near you.
Patients who want to begin the screening process or their referring physicians can contact us by phone or by filling out an online form.
Why Choose Duke
Experience with All Types of Brain Tumors
Our brain tumor specialists treat approximately 3,700 patients each year, of which 800 are new patients. We treat all types of brain tumors, including meningiomas and other benign brain tumors, and develop a personalized approach to each patient's care.
Consult with Our Brain Tumor Specialists
Unlike other centers that may filter you through a series of administrators before you speak to a doctor, you’ll speak to our doctors first. Our brain cancer specialists consult with you to determine which tests you need and decide the next steps for your care. Our nationally ranked cancer center has been designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.
Your Care Team
Our board-certified brain tumor specialists --medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists; experts in neurosurgery and neurology; radiologists; and pathologists -- as well as geneticists, specially trained nurse practitioners and physician assistants, nutritionists, and social workers meet regularly to discuss each individual case. They collect opinions and offer coordinated and advanced surgical, medical, and follow-up care.
Your Main Point of Contact
A nurse will be your main point of contact throughout your treatment and recovery, answering any questions about your initial evaluation, surgical procedures, financial concerns, emotional needs, and dietary requirements.
Support for You and Your Family
Our comprehensive cancer support services range from helping patients minimize the side effects of treatment to coping with the emotional and psychological effects of diagnosis and treatment. View all of our cancer support groups on our event calendar.
Research Leaders
The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center's robust research program is dedicated to finding better outcomes for brain tumors. We co-developed a vaccine that extends the lives of people with glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor, and played a pivotal role in the introduction of Avastin in the treatment of brain tumors. We continue to explore ways to selectively target tumors, tame fast-growing and drug-resistant tumors, and design new therapies to destroy cancer. Our researchers are also studying ways to manipulate the genes and proteins that fuel tumor growth.
Latest OR Technology
The use of intra-operative MRI (iMRI) in the operating room allows the neurosurgeon to get an MRI while the patient is still in surgery. This confirms that all or as much of the tumor as possible is removed, to ensure surgical success. It also reduces the time and number of procedures a patient has to endure.
