Brain Tumor Program

Research

Mayo Clinic physician-researchers and other scientists investigate better ways to diagnose and treat all types of brain tumors. One focus is translational research, in which findings from the lab and clinical trials are applied to address unmet patient needs in the clinic. For example, a scientist in mathematical oncology is learning how to predict where brain tumors might be at a microscopic level. This may help doctors decide where precisely to operate, even if tumors don't show up on a scan.

Other leading-edge studies include:

Developing new brain-mapping techniques for hard-to-treat tumors.
Improving diagnostics and the ability to tailor treatment to each person by studying genetic alterations in brain tumor cells.
Harnessing the immune system to kill tumor cells using vaccines.
Exploring the use of nanotechnologies to treat brain tumors.
Targeting brain cancer cells with viruses.
Understanding how brain cancer cells invade surrounding brain tissues.

If you receive care in the Mayo Clinic Brain Tumor Program, your doctor may invite you to take part in one of the clinical trials testing new treatments. Mayo Clinic is part of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, a clinical trials network sponsored by the National Cancer Institute that gives Mayo patients access to experimental treatments being studied around the country.

Mayo Clinic has an extensive effort in brain tumor research, spanning numerous centers, programs and labs across all campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.