Patients at the Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute receive care from a multidisciplinary team of specialists who work collaboratively to develop the optimum treatment plan for you. Many factors, including the type, size, and location of a tumor, are considered to determine the most effective strategy, which often involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, radiosurgery and chemotherapy, including novel agents that work on tumor biology or in conjunction with the immune system. 

Our goal is to provide each patient undergoing treatment with the best possible quality of life, in addition to the best possible care. Treatment options include:

Neurosurgical oncology

The Institute offers state-of-the-art technology including:

• A variety of intraoperative microscopes
• A frameless stereotactic unit for intraoperative tumor localization
• Intraoperative cortical mapping
• BRW, CRW, and Leksell frame-driven stereotactic systems for stereotactic-guided biopsies and tumor localization
• The surgical endoscope for intraventricular and pituitary tumors
• A variety of intraoperative lasers, and the cavitronic ultrasonic aspirator for tumor resection
• Brain and spinal cord electrical monitoring to prevent damage to normal tissue

Neuro-oncology

As a national leader in the treatment of brain tumors, our patients benefit from the newest and best treatment options and resources available. Depending on the type of brain tumor and the treatment plan designed, you may receive treatment with chemotherapy and/or biologic agents. These treatments may be administered in a number of ways, including:

• Oral
• Intravenous
• Stem-cell transplant

In addition to conventional treatments, the institute also offers innovative, investigational brain tumor treatment such as:

• Small molecule therapies
• Growth modifier treatment
• Intra-tumoral treatments

Radiation oncology

Our radiation oncologists specialize in delivering radiation to the brain and have pioneered many important technological advances in the field. Types of radiation therapy available include:

• Standard external beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
• The Gamma Knife® (radiosurgery)
• Proton beam radiation

Clinical trials

Doctors and researchers at the Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute are dedicated to developing clinical trials that provide patients with effective and innovative treatment options.

A clinical trial, one of the final stages of a long and careful research process, is a way to prove that a new treatment is safe, effective and/or has fewer side effects than standard brain tumor treatments. 

Researchers develop a plan for a clinical trial, also known as a protocol, after laboratory studies indicate that a new treatment, drug or device shows promise. MBTI patients have access to clinical studies offering novel, state-of the art therapies developed by our own physicians, as well as those that are done in cooperation with large, national oncology groups.

• Search MBTI Clinical Trials