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Brain Tumor Center

The UCSF Brain Tumor Center is one of the largest and most comprehensive programs in the nation for the treatment of brain and spinal tumors. We treat all grades of tumors, whether newly diagnosed or recurring after previous treatment. We also offer specialized care for patients with CNS metastases, tumors that have spread to the central nervous system. Our team brings together neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists and radiologists, as well as other health professionals with expertise in these conditions.

Our mission is to provide our patients with the best possible outcomes and quality of life, using the latest treatments and technology. These include advanced intra-operative imaging and brain mapping techniques to protect areas of the brain used for language, motor skills and sensory function during surgery, as well as radiosurgery with Gamma Knife and CyberKnife and access to clinical trials of promising new therapies.

Our comprehensive approach includes a caregiver program, dedicated to helping our patients' caregivers and family members get the resources and support they need.

We are part of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences.

Learn more about clinical trials and how they work.

Our locations

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    Patient education

    Brain tumor patient and family resource guide

    The diagnosis of a brain tumor affects your life in many ways. Our guide can help you cope.

    Patient-centered approach

    Learn more about our multi-disciplinary focus for treating brain tumors.

    Explore what we do

    Brain tumor tests lead to better outcomes

    Using new tools for more precise diagnoses and treatments, the UCSF Brain Tumor Center helps patients like Kelly live longer.

    A day in the life of a neurosurgeon

    Learn how a specialist in awake brain surgery prepares for procedures to remove tumors. Dr. Shawn Hervey-Jumper also shares his philosophy of patient care.

    Support services

    Our team

    View 33 more
    Decorative Caduceus

    DB107-RRV, DB107-FC, and Radiation Therapy with or Without Temozolomide (TMZ) for High Grade Gl...

    Tolerability is defined as the proportion of participants receiving at least one dose of DB107-RRV and DB107-FC with a reported dose-limiting toxicity for all participants in Phase I.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    A Phase 2 Study of the Ketogenic Diet vs Standard Anti-cancer Diet Guidance for Patients With G...

    Will be calculated as the number of days from the date of patient registration to the date of death.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    A Trial to Evaluate Multiple Regimens in Newly Diagnosed and Recurrent Glioblastoma

    Overall survival is defined from the time of randomization to death from any cause. Patients still alive at the time of an analysis will be considered censored at their date of last contact.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Hyperpolarized Imaging in Diagnosing Participants With Glioma

    Adverse events will be monitored from just before investigational medicinal product (IMP) administration until the end of study participation. Vital signs (blood pressure and heart rate only) will be recorded at baseline and 30 mi...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Serial MR Imaging and MR Spectroscopic Imaging for the Characterization of Lower Grade Glioma

    Safety evaluation for endpoint will include monitoring for the occurrence of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs). Reported toxicities will be graded using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology (Toxicity) Crite...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Behavioral Health Evaluation and Intervention Program for Patients Undergoing Craniotomy

    The proportion of enrolled patients that complete all three virtual behavioral health counseling sessions from time of study enrollment to the final behavioral health counseling session, approximately 6-9 months following the part...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Optic Nerve Stimulation To Prevent Visual Deficits After Endoscopic Cranial Approaches

    Patients that received our intervention will be evaluated post operatively for regular standard of care six weeks post-operatively. During visual evaluation, the PI of this study will determine post-operative visual field and visu...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    ONC201 in H3 K27M-mutant Diffuse Glioma Following Radiotherapy (the ACTION Study)

    Overall Survival is defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Anti-EGFRvIII synNotch Receptor Induced Anti-EphA2/IL-13Ralpha2 CAR (E-SYNC) T Cells

    Treatment-emergent adverse events will be graded by National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE) version 5.0

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Hyperpolarized Carbon-13 Alpha-ketoglutarate Imaging in IDH Mutant Glioma

    Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of HP 13C-aKG will be calculated voxel-by-voxel, and within each region of interest (ROI). The parameters considered will be the mean SNR, within these ROIs. Acquisition parameters will be optimized (su...

    Recruiting

    Rankings & achievements

    • U S  News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF as part of its 2024-2025 Honor Roll

      Among the top hospitals in the nation

    • Best in Northern California and No. 7 in the nation for cancer care

    • U S  News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF as number 3 in the country for neurology and neurosurgery for 2024 to 2025

      Best in the West and No. 3 in the nation for neurology & neurosurgery

    • n1-2x

      in the U.S. for number of brain tumor patients treated

    Accreditations & memberships

    • National Cancer Institute

      The National Cancer Institute has designated UCSF a comprehensive cancer center, its highest ranking. This designation is awarded to centers that demonstrate scientific excellence and the ability to conduct cancer research across many disciplines.

    • Commission on Cancer

      UCSF's cancer programs have been accredited by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer (CoC) since 1933. The CoC is a consortium of groups dedicated to improving cancer patients' survival and quality of life via research, education and better medical care.

    • National Comprehensive Cancer Network

      UCSF is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the world’s top cancer centers. The network brings together leaders in treatment and research to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of cancer care.

    Preparing for your appointment

    What to Bring

    • MRI scans taken no more than three to four weeks prior
    • Photo I.D.
    • Health insurance card
    • Insurance authorization, if required
    • Doctor's referral, if required
    • List of questions you may have
    • Device or paper for taking notes

    Related clinics

    Our research initiatives

    • UCSF-Brain-Tumor-Center-Clinical-Trials-2x

      UCSF Brain Tumor Center Clinical Trials

      The UCSF Brain Tumor Center is home to many laboratories dedicated to improving the understanding and treatment of brain cancer. The labs explore aspects of brain tumor risk, biology, diagnosis and treatment.

    • UCSF-Helen-Diller-Family-Comprehensive-Cancer-Center-Research-2x

      UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Research

      UCSF is home to a range of research initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for cancer patients everywhere. This includes research on topics such as immunotherapy, BRCA mutations and molecular diagnostic testing.

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