The centers you see listed in the NBTF Treatment Center Database are ones that have completed the NBTF Treatment Center Database Survey (found here). This list is not exhaustive; many treatment centers across the country have not filled out the survey.

The information you see in the NBTF Treatment Center Database is all of the information NBTF has collected on these centers. If you have additional questions, NBTF Patient Services staff can try to help. You can call them at 1.800.934.2873 or e-mail nbtf@braintumor.org. Otherwise, you may want to click on the website of the treatment center you have questions about and contact staff at that center.

NBTF adds new treatment centers to the database on a weekly basis. Updates to existing centers in the database are conducted on an annual basis.

If you are a health professional who doesn't see your center listed here, you can fill out the NBTF Treatment Center Registration form here. You may also get a PDF copy of the Treatment Center Registration form by clicking here.

If you are a patient or caregiver who would like to see your center listed here, you can let your doctor, nurse or social worker know about the NBTF Treatment Center Database and have them contact Sarah Trejo at NBTF to learn more about it.

It is generally accepted and widely known in academic literature that centers that perform a high-volume of brain tumor surgeries (>50 surgeries/year) generally have better outcomes. While the number of surgeries performed per year does not alone indicate whether or not you should have your surgery at a particular center, it is an important indicator to consider when looking.

• Intraoperative MRI
• Introperative CT
• Brain Mapping
• Awake craniotomy
• Image-guided surgery

A tumor board is a regular meeting (monthly, bimonthly, or in some cases weekly) where specialists from the treatment team come together to discuss the patients and their brain tumors. It is often used to talk about complicated cases, weigh treatment possibilities, or suggest referrals to other doctors or clinical trials. A tumor board may include neurosurgeons, pathologists, radiation oncologists, neuro-oncologists, nursing staff, and social workers, though this varies from one center to another.

Here are definitions for some of the more common specialists that make up a brain tumor treatment team:

Neuropsychologist: A licensed psychologist who has specialized in studying how the brain functions and the impact that damage to the brain has on one’s abilities.(Please note that although neuropsychologists are frequently not consulted until after treatment, it may be preferable to do so from the beginning so that a more accurate baseline can be established before treatment.)

Neuro-oncology Nurse Specialist: A licensed nurse specializing in patient education and support services for brain tumor patients. Available for consultation on symptom management.

Neuro-oncologist: An oncologist (cancer doctor) specializing in the treatment of cancers and tumors affecting the brain, the spinal cord, and the nervous system.

Neurologist: A doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases affecting the brain, the spinal cord, and the nervous system.

Neuropathologist: A doctor specializing in the diagnosis of neurological disorders and diseases through microscopic examination of biopsied tissues (cells from the tumor).

Neuroradiologist: A radiologist who specializes in the interpretation of diagnostic images—such as computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. A neuroradiologist may also administer radiation therapy; see Radiation Oncologist.

Neurosurgeon: A surgeon specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of disorders and diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.

Radiation Oncologist: A doctor specializing in the administration of radiation therapy.

Clinical trials for brain tumors often involve collaborations between multiple medical centers to ensure that enough patients are able to participate. These collaborations are grouped under larger umbrella organizations called Research Group Protocols.

Some of the more common groups include:

• NABTT: New Approaches to Brain Tumor Treatment
• ECOG: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
• SWOG: The Southwestern Oncology Group
• RTOG: The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
• NCCTG: North Central Cancer Treatment Group
• CCOP: Community Clinical Oncology Program
• Pediatric Groups include:
• POG: Pediatric Oncology Group
• COG: Children’s Oncology Group
• PBTC: Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium