When cancer spreads to the brain, the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis offers innovative and progressive care, often when other centers cannot. Our team of experts recommend advanced treatments that are tailored to your condition and preferences. We strive to deliver the best-possible outcomes while maintaining your quality of life.
Cancer that starts in one area of the body can metastasize, or spread, to the brain. Melanoma and lung, breast, and colon cancers are among those that most often spread to the brain.
Although metastatic brain cancer is typically considered advanced and may be life-threatening, we offer the full range of treatments to slow or stop the spread of cancer and reduce symptoms like seizures, memory problems, and trouble speaking.
Our nurse navigator can also guide you through the process of seeking a second opinion for yourself or a loved one.
Our first step is to conduct a series of comprehensive exams and tests. Our team reviews your results and uses them to create your personalized treatment plan.
Duke Health offers locations throughout the Triangle. Find one near you.
As a Duke patient, you may be eligible to participate in clinical trials investigating new ways to treat metastatic brain cancer. We participate in research to improve existing therapies and work toward a cure.
Despite the name, stereotactic radiosurgery does not require incisions. Instead, radiation oncologists focus narrow, high-dose radiation beams to destroy difficult-to-reach brain tumors. In some cases, only one treatment session is needed. Careful mapping and planning ensure the radiation targets cancer cells while sparing the healthy tissue, nerves, and blood vessels surrounding the tumor.
Immunotherapy drugs help your immune system identify and attack cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. New immunotherapy drugs may be available to eligible candidates through clinical trials.
Chemotherapy, given orally or by infusion into a vein, may be prescribed to kill cancer cells after surgery and/or radiation therapy.
This treatment targets molecules inside your cells to stop cancer from growing and spreading, while sparing healthy cells. New targeted therapies may be available to eligible candidates through clinical trials.
Focused ultrasound uses MRI guidance to target your brain tumor with thousands of sound beams. This opens up the blood-brain barrier (which separates circulating blood from the brain itself), making it easier to deliver treatment to the tumor and monitor it without having to do a biopsy. Focused ultrasound does not require any incisions or general anesthesia, so recovery from this outpatient procedure is minimal.
Palliative care focuses on preventing, managing, and relieving the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of cancer treatment. With services including pain management, symptom management, psychosocial support, and spiritual care, we help you and your loved ones clarify goals of treatment along the way. Research shows that people with cancer have better outcomes when supportive care is a regular part of treatment.
Rehabilitation will be an important part of your recovery. Our physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists can help you strengthen your muscles, improve your mobility, speak more clearly, or learn easier ways to perform everyday tasks.
Where you receive your cancer care is important. Duke University Hospital is proud of our team and the exceptional care they provide. They are why our cancer program is the highest-ranked program in North Carolina, according to U.S. News & World Report for 2026–2027.
