CancerNeurology & Neurosurgery

Brain Tumor Center

(415) 353-2966

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.

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.

    Learn more

    Patient-centered approach

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

    Conditions we treat

    Treatments we specialize in

    Support services

    Support Group

    Art for Recovery

    Creativity can help people with serious illnesses cope, heal and express what they're going through. Find out about our program and how to join.

    Fitness

    Cancer Exercise Counseling

    Our one-on-one exercise training sessions, customized for your needs and abilities, can complement other cancer treatments and speed your recovery.

    Patient Resource

    Cancer Nutrition Counseling

    UCSF Health offers free nutrition counseling to our patients with cancer, as well as nutrition seminars that are open to anyone. Learn more.

    Support Group

    Cancer Support Groups

    These groups offered by the Ida and Joseph Friend Patient and Family Cancer Support Center are free and available to all patients, whether or not you get your health care at UCSF.

    Fitness

    Core & More Class for Cancer Patients

    A strong body helps you fight cancer and enjoy life. Join this class to stabilize your core, strengthen your muscles and improve overall fitness. For cancer patients and caregivers!

    Patient Resource

    Friend to Friend Specialty Shops

    A one-stop boutique for patients with cancer. Get professional help with wigs, prostheses, sun-protective clothing, makeup, skin care and more.

    Class

    Meditation & Guided Imagery for Cancer Patients

    Drop in for a free class designed to help you heal, relax and find balance during your treatment. UCSF and non-UCSF patients are welcome.

    Patient Resource

    Neuro-Oncology Caregiver Program

    If you're caring for someone with a brain tumor, our program can help with guidance, information, resources and support at this difficult time. Find out more.

    Patient Resource

    Oncology Social Work

    Social workers offer support, problem-solving, help accessing UCSF cancer-related resources and more. Find out how to contact the social worker for your clinic.

    Patient Resource

    Patient & Family Cancer Support Center

    The center offers wellness programming, community, support groups, classes, workshops and more at no cost to people facing cancer and their loved ones.

    Support Group

    Peer Support Programs for Cancer

    Patients are matched with peer support volunteers according to criteria such as diagnosis, cancer stage, age or gender. Speak to someone who's "been there."

    Our team

    Decorative Caduceus

    Complex Adult Deformity Surgery (CADS)

    Scoliosis specific patient reported outcome

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Evaluation of Symphony™ Posterior Cervical System for Surgical Treatment of Adult Cervical Defo...

    Self reported pain in Head where 0=no pain/10=severe pain

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Feasibility of Individualized Therapy for Recurrent GBM

    Feasibility of implementing a truly personalized tumor treatment drug regimen for patients with surgically resectable recurrent glioblastoma is defined as the percentage of patients who have successfully initiated therapy based on...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    3D Prediction of Patient-Specific Response

    Compare Assay results to reported patient outcomes

    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

    Hyperpolarized Carbon-13 (13C) Pyruvate Imaging in Patients With Glioblastoma

    Patients will be monitored for the occurrence of AEs that occur during the course of study participation. AE monitoring occurs on each day of hyperpolarized 13C pyruvate administration and until 7 days after administration. Seriou...

    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

    Rankings & achievements

    • usnews-neurology

      Among the top hospitals in the nation

    • Best in Northern California for cancer care (tie)

    • usnews-neurology

      Best in California and No. 2 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.

      Learn more

    • 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.

      Learn more

    • National Comprehensive Cancer Network

      UCSF is a founding 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.

      Learn more
    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

    International Services

    If you live outside the United States and are coming to UCSF for medical treatment, our patient liaisons can help coordinate all aspects of your visit.

    Learn more

    Interpreting Services

    UCSF offers interpreters in various languages, including American Sign Language (ASL), as well as services for deaf, hard-of-hearing and visually impaired patients.

    Learn more

    Hospital Stays

    Make your hospital stay as smooth and comfortable as possible by finding out how to prepare and what to expect.

    Learn more

    Your Doctor Visit

    See our top 10 tips for making your UCSF doctor’s appointment as stress-free and productive as possible.

    Learn more

    Related clinics

    Neurosurgery Clinic

    See all seven of our locations and learn more about the clinic.

    Cancer Symptom Management

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth St.
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    (415) 885-7671

    Cancer Survivorship and Wellness Institute

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    See both of our San Francisco locations.

    (415) 514-2880

    Psycho-Oncology

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth St.
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    (415) 353-7019

    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.

      Learn more
    • 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.

      Learn more

    Do you need pediatric care?

    UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
    UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals

    Can't find what you're looking for?

    UCSF Help Center

    (888) 689-8273
    [email protected]

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