Despite a benign brain tumor not being cancerous and unlikely to spread to other areas of the body, it can still cause concern. Benign brain tumors can affect your health with issues such as painful headaches, especially if it presses on important structures. AHN is here to help.
At the AHN Neuroscience Institute, our surgeons are known around the world for their expertise in treating brain tumors. Using personalized treatment plans and innovative surgeries, we help provide patients with significant symptom relief so they can return to their daily activities and feel relief.
A benign brain tumor is a noncancerous mass that develops inside the brain. At AHN, our physicians expertly diagnose and treat many types of benign brain tumors, as well as skull base tumors (tumors that grow at the base of the brain). The team treats:
Our experts in the AHN Neuro-Oncology Center of Excellence offer some of the newest, most innovative care for patients with benign and malignant brain tumors. We use the latest tools and procedures to make the diagnosis process as minimally invasive as possible. You can get numerous tests done on the same day and in one location, to reduce your wait and travel time. We know this is a difficult and stressful time. Your compassionate and skilled AHN care team is by your side, treating and guiding you and answering your questions. We also offer robust support services to treat the whole person.
Our highly experienced team of neuro-oncologists (brain cancer specialists) and neurosurgeons (brain surgeons) performs treatments that are only available at the very best hospitals in the country. By choosing AHN for your care, you will find:
A benign brain tumor can cause a wide range of symptoms, or no symptoms at all, depending on its characteristics and location. Any changes in health or new conditions you’re experiencing should be brought up to your health care provider. Early detection is a key component to treating any condition with greater ease.
The symptoms of benign brain tumors are similar to those of malignant brain tumors. They include:
Our brain tumor specialists expertly diagnose a range of brain tumors. Physicians often diagnose brain tumors through advanced imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, which give physicians important details about a tumor’s size and location.
If your physician suspects a tumor may be cancerous, you may need to undergo further testing. AHN’s world-class cancer specialists ensure you receive a precise diagnosis and the most effective treatment.
Learn more about neuro-oncology care at AHN.
At AHN, physicians from different specialties work together to confirm a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your symptoms and circumstances. Our care team considers your age, overall health, and other factors when deciding which treatments will benefit you. Your treatment plan may include one or more treatments.
With advanced computer software and imaging technology, our radiation oncologists deliver high-dose radiation beams directly to a tumor while protecting surrounding healthy tissue. We have the country’s largest — and western Pennsylvania’s only — radiation oncology network, accredited by top radiation oncology accrediting organizations.
Our neurosurgeons remove brain tumor tissue while protecting surrounding healthy tissue, so you retain more mental and physical abilities after surgery. We use minimally invasive techniques to perform safe, effective surgeries. These intricate procedures enable surgeons to remove more of the tumor while resulting in a shorter hospital stay and recovery for patients. Learn more about our minimally invasive approach to brain surgery.
Navigating a diagnosis of a benign brain tumor can bring many questions and concerns. Your AHN care team is here to help you through this process and answer your questions. To help make the process a little less overwhelming, we’ve included answers to some of our patients’ most frequently asked questions. Use this information to help in your appointments with your care team.
Yes, many individuals with a benign brain tumor can live a full and productive life. The impact of a benign brain tumor on a person's life largely depends on several factors, including:
With appropriate medical management, consistent monitoring, and support, individuals can often manage their condition and maintain a good quality of life.
While the term "benign" implies noncancerous and non-spreading, a benign brain tumor can still be serious and requires careful medical attention. Here's why:
Therefore, while not cancerous, a benign brain tumor is a serious medical condition that necessitates thorough diagnosis, treatment planning, and ongoing management by a team of specialists, including neurosurgeons and neurologists.
To schedule an appointment or learn more about AHN neuroscience services, call 412-518-8934.
If you want a second opinion regarding a cancer diagnosis, treatment options, or prognosis, our team of oncology specialists can review your medical records at AHN. To get started, fill out our Second Opinion Request form. Our Navigation Team will contact you within the next 24 – 48 hours to discuss next steps and schedule.
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