Facing a Brain Tumor: A Unified Team Provides Coordinated, Holistic Care.

Learning that you or a loved one has a brain tumor changes life in an instant. The diagnosis can feel overwhelming and brings significant challenges to daily routines, careers, family duties, and personal finances. 

During this difficult time, our experts work closely with you and your family to provide advanced, whole-patient care.

The MedStar Health Comprehensive Brain Tumor Center is a regional leader in diagnosing and treating these growths in the central nervous system (CNS). We care for patients with a wide range of tumors in the brain and spinal cord, including primary tumors that begin in the CNS and metastatic brain cancers that have spread from other parts of the body. Our teams have extensive experience treating many types of primary tumors, including gliomas, meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, and others.

Our full range of advanced treatment options includes neurosurgery, advanced radiation therapy, and whole-body therapies such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Our patients have access to clinical trials, and supportive services to help streamline the care journey. 

According to the National Brain Tumor Society, about 1.3 million people in the U.S. are living with a brain tumor, and more than 108,000 will receive a primary tumor diagnosis in 2026. 

Tumors of the CNS are unique and can present complex medical issues. Our integrated team has the specialization and expertise to provide leading care for even the most complicated cases.

Neuro-oncology: The glue of the care pathway.

Neuro-oncology is a specialized medical field that focuses on treating tumors that affect the brain and spinal cord. A neuro-oncologist completes specialized advanced training to manage chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and biological treatments. 

Here, the neuro-oncology clinic is the glue that holds together a complex and integrated care pathway. We connect every piece of the medical puzzle to care for the whole person, not just a tumor.

To keep your treatment moving forward smoothly, our neuro-oncology team works closely with a wide range of specialists that includes:
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• Neurosurgeons who perform operations to remove tumors and monitor your healing

• Radiation oncologists who plan and deliver highly targeted radiation therapy

• Neuroradiologists who specialize in reading detailed brain scans

• Neuropathologists who analyze tumor tissue samples under a microscope

• Support professionals, including social workers, physical therapists, and occupational therapists

Working together, we bring our collective expertise to help each unique patient get coordinated care.

Many experts in one visit.

After a brain tumor has been diagnosed, the next challenge is usually scheduling dozens of appointments across different medical offices. We eliminate this stress by organizing your care so you can meet with multiple experts during a single visit. This model enables our doctors to begin collaborating to build a customized, comprehensive treatment plan right away.

Our center also holds a weekly Brain Tumor Board meeting in which our multidisciplinary specialists meet to collaborate on your care. This group’s review ensures your treatment plan considers all angles and is built on your specific medical data, goals, and preferences. 

Throughout your care, our teams provide continuous updates to your primary care doctor and keep you and your caregivers informed and involved at each step.

Related: Read “Brain Tumor Signs: When to See a Doctor.”

Advanced techniques: Surgery, radiation therapy, and liquid biopsies.

Our neurosurgeons use advanced techniques and state-of-the-art tools such as:
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• Minimally invasive neurosurgery, including robotic-assisted surgery in some cases

• Neurovascular microsurgery, using advanced minimally invasive techniques and tiny, high-powered tools and microscopes to remove complex tumors

• Traditional (open) brain or spine surgery

• Skull base surgery, including open and endoscopic approaches

At MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, we use the region’s first moveable intraoperative MRI system (IMRIS) to digitally map the brain, head, and neck during surgery. As the only system in the world that travels on ceiling-mounted rails, IMRIS brings high-definition imaging to the operating room. This real-time visualization enables neurosurgeons to make highly informed decisions during the procedure.

Stereotactic radiosurgery offers many patients an effective, non-invasive alternative to traditional open surgery. These advanced technologies destroy tumors by delivering highly concentrated doses of radiation with pinpoint accuracy. This helps protect nearby healthy brain tissues.

Outpatient radiation options include:
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• CyberKnife and EDGE: Radiosurgery systems that treat brain tumors efficiently without incisions or overnight hospital stays

• ZAP-X Gyroscopic Radiosurgery: This next-generation technology requires no head frame, no incision, no anesthesia, and minimal recovery time

• HYPERSCAN Proton Therapy: Using high-energy waves, we target tumor cells with exceptional precision

In some cases, a tumor is in a deep or sensitive area that a surgeon can’t safely access with traditional surgery. Our neuro-oncology team uses an innovative diagnostic tool called a cerebrospinal fluid-based liquid biopsy to learn about the tumor.

In this procedure, we take a sample of fluid from the spine. Examining this fluid in the lab, we can safely analyze the tumor’s genetic features to help guide each patient’s unique treatment plan.

Care for the whole person, and the whole family.

Studies have shown that a palliative approach to brain tumors, in which we actively treat symptoms, pain, and side effects early in the disease, can lead to better outcomes. By addressing patients’ physical and emotional comfort early on, we can help them survive longer and live better. 

A brain tumor can impact every corner of life, and our built-in support system helps you manage the emotional and logistical burdens. Our coordinated network of experienced staff assists patients and their families with every stage of care. 

This integrated support team includes:
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• Patient referral liaisons and clinical nurse coordinators who help navigate scheduling and serve as a primary point of contact

• Social workers to help families handle insurance, logistics, and financial strain

• Genetic counselors who evaluate family histories and inherited risks

• Nutritionists to design specialized eating plans to keep your body strong

• Physical and occupational therapists who design exercises to restore your physical strength, mobility, and daily living skills

• Neurorehabilitation specialists in boosting recovery and eliminating barriers to living your best life

Our Family Circle program supports patients and their families on the cancer journey. This no-cost program includes education and counseling services to help families navigate conversations about cancer and manage stress.

Related: Read “Beyond Diagnosis: What Research Reveals About Genetic Testing and Your Family’s Cancer Risk.”

Clinical trials: Tomorrow’s treatments today.

Our Comprehensive Brain Tumor Center is the clinical partner of Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated center in our region. This partnership connects our team to groundbreaking research.

When a tumor doesn’t respond well to standard treatments, research opens alternative pathways that enable our patients to receive advanced options. Together, we offer patients access to clinical trials exploring promising treatments that aren’t yet widely available. As clinician-researchers, we work every day to make discoveries that help our patients live longer and better.

Being diagnosed with a brain tumor can change everything. We’re here to help patients and their families on the journey back to health.