Brain Tumor Program

People with skull base tumors who receive care in the Mayo Clinic Brain Tumor Program are treated by internationally respected doctors who specialize in these types of tumors. They use the latest technology and techniques to develop a treatment plan tailored to each situation.

Innovation in diagnosis and treatment

You may undergo noninvasive imaging, such as high-resolution MRI, MR perfusion or spectroscopy. Some imaging techniques may help distinguish cancerous tumors from benign tumors without a biopsy.

Your treatment for a skull base tumor may include:

• Computer-assisted brain surgery
• Intraoperative MRI
• Stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife and linear accelerator based)
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

Your treatment team

Your treatment team may include a neurosurgeon, a radiation oncologist, a neuro-oncologist and others as needed. Together they work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan. Test results are reviewed by a large, multidisciplinary tumor board of experts to discuss the optimum plan of care. You receive comprehensive care for the diagnosis and treatment of your condition, with access to in-depth counseling, unbiased review of all available treatment options, follow-up care and rehabilitation.

Mayo Clinic is top-ranked in more specialties than any other hospital and has been recognized as an Honor Roll member according to the U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 "Best Hospitals" rankings.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, rank among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic Children's Center in Rochester is ranked the No. 1 hospital in Minnesota, and the five-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for ear, nose and throat by U.S. News & World Report.

See physician staff