Whenever cancer cells spread to a new area of the body, they are called metastases. Though cancer may appear in different parts of your body, it is still the same type of cancer. For instance, if you have breast cancer that has spread into brain, it is still breast cancer.

Many types of cancer can spread into your brain, including breast, lung, colon, and kidney cancer as well as melanoma. These brain metastases can cause many symptoms and impact your quality your brain function.

Symptoms of brain metastases can include:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Memory problems
• Mental changes
• Personality changes
• Seizures

The physicians at Sylvester's Brain Tumor Initiative, care for all types of tumors in the brain, including brain metastases. They provide comprehensive treatment options such as clinical trials and minimally invasive surgery to reduce the size of metastases and relieve symptoms.

Tests

Biopsy
A neurosurgeon can remove cells from your brain metastases to study in a lab. Your surgeon may use a needle to remove cells or may remove cells during a surgery to remove the entire brain tumor.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
An MRI is an imaging scan of your brain that uses no radiation but creates a highly detailed image of your brain.

Treatments

Corticosteroid Medicines
Steroid medicines you take by mouth can help decrease inflammation around the tumor, easing your symptoms.

Surgery
If the brain metastases cause symptoms and can be operated on, a neurosurgeon may remove all or part of the tumor during brain surgery.

Whole-Brain Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy can also shrink tumors by destroying tumor cells. You may need multiple radiation therapy treatments to be effective.

Gamma Knife^® Radiosurgery
During Gamma Knife^® Radiosurgery, multiple weak beams of radiation are pointed at your brain tumor. Where all the beams meet, there is strong radiation. It’s possible you may need only one radiosurgery treatment to destroy brain metastases.

Clinical Trials
At the Brain Tumor Initiative, we provide access to the latest experimental treatments through clinical trials. These treatments give you additional treatment options if your cancer does not respond to other treatments.

Why Choose Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center?

Sylvester is an NCI-designated cancer center. The National Cancer Institute has reaffirmed us as South Florida’s only NCI-designated cancer center. We have been recognized for our scientific leadership, our commitment to training the next generation of cancer researchers and providers, as well as our engagement with the communities that we serve. For patients, this designation translates into greater access to leading-edge treatment options, including clinical trials that prioritize your specific cancer.

Groundbreaking brain tumor treatment. Experts from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and UHealth make up one of the largest and most complete teams for brain tumor treatment in the United States. Through multi-disciplinary cooperation, our team employs innovative procedures like awake craniotomies, Gamma Knife® radiosurgery, and many other techniques. We use the least invasive neurosurgical techniques on both adults and children, which reduces recovery time and makes a significant difference in your quality of life.

Dedicated brain tumor experts. Your care team consists of specialized physicians and researchers who are committed to brain tumor care. Your team may include neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, neuropathologists, and other physicians who focus solely on treating brain tumors. Their years of experience and expertise help you find the right treatment for you.

Innovative research that changes the future of brain tumor care. As the only academic medical center in the area, we are on the cutting edge of brain tumor treatment and research. As a patient, you also have access to the innovative research and the latest in clinical trials. Our ongoing translational and clinical research has spawned promising treatments like the heat shock protein vaccine and targeted therapies designed for your specific type of brain tumor.

International leaders in brain tumor care. We play a vital role in the community, thanks to our groundbreaking research and patient care for people in Florida, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. We’re turning Miami into the healthcare capital of the Americas. We’re creating one of the premier brain tumor centers in the country.

Surgical expertise. We perform thousands of brain tumor surgeries every year and care for more brain tumors than any other health center in Florida. Our skilled neurosurgeons are consistently pioneering new treatments. From minimally invasive spine surgeries to awake craniotomies, we offer unique surgeries you cannot find anywhere else in the region.

Concierge service. Patients do not have to figure it all out alone. You are assigned a concierge coordinator who is there for you and your family during your care. They connect you with other providers you may need, walk you through the surgery process, and can answer any questions you or your family may have.