Brain tumors are characterized by abnormal cell growth in or around your brain. A mass can be small or large and can either be a benign tumor (noncancerous) or a malignant tumor (cancerous).

Each year, more than 90,000 Americans will face the life-changing diagnosis of a brain tumor. At the forefront of treating this condition is UF Health, one of the leading referral centers nationally. We deliver comprehensive, personalized treatments to more patients than nearly all other academic medical centers.

Our distinguished researchers and their teams collaborate daily with physicians who have dedicated their careers to finding a cure for brain cancer. Together, they use the latest molecular, biological, medical and surgical techniques to understand the fundamental causes of brain tumors and develop new treatment methods.

UF Health: Pioneers for brain tumor treatments and therapies

Watch how Duane Mitchell, MD, PhD, and his team at the Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy at the University of Florida have developed one of the most comprehensive clinical and research centers for advancing brain tumor treatment and discovering novel approaches.

UF neuro research ranks No. 2 nationally in NIH funding

Neurosurgery and neuroscience/neurology research at UF each ranked No. 2 in the country for NIH funding in 2025, according to newly published rankings by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. Among neurosurgery principal investigators nationwide, UF faculty members took the top two spots: Brian Hoh, MD, MBA, chair of neurosurgery, was No. 1 with $8.1 million in funding, while Dr. Mitchell, co-director of UF’s Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, was second with $5.9 million.

Learn more at the McKnight Brain Institute website.

UF landmark study may pave the way for a universal cancer vaccine

UF researchers discovered that patients with advanced lung or skin cancer who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine around the time they started immunotherapy tended to live longer than those who did not. This breakthrough study suggests the vaccine may help “boost” the body’s immune response, potentially making immunotherapy more effective. While more research is needed, these findings offer hope and may help doctors consider the best timing of treatments to improve patient outcomes.

Read the study.

New nanoparticle-based imaging method helps immune cells zero in on cancer

UF researchers have developed a new imaging method that lets doctors safely track immune cells in real time after dendritic cell therapy, helping them see whether the cells reach the tumor without extra procedures. Created at the UF Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, this technology gives doctors a clearer view of how treatments are working and could eventually help speed the development of new immunotherapies and tailor care for patients with brain tumors and other neurological cancers.

Read the article.

UF Digital Brain Initiative grants access to thousands of brain scans for research

UF and UF Health are using AI to advance new treatments, supported by HiPerGator, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers. Through the Digital Brain Initiative, they are making 1.4 million de-identified brain scans linked to clinical data available to researchers. This large dataset will help scientists study neurologic conditions such as tumors, Alzheimer’s disease and movement disorders, aiming to improve understanding and support the development of more precise diagnostics and therapies.

Types of brain tumors

There are more than 120 different types, and they can be classified in many ways, one of which is based on their origin and behavior:

• Primary brain tumor: Originates within the brain. Examples include a glioma, meningioma or pituitary adenoma.
• Metastatic brain tumor: Spreads to the brain from other parts of the body. The most common forms of brain metastases are lung cancer, breast cancer and melanoma.

They can also be classified by histology:

• Glioma: Arises from glial cells, which support and protect neurons. Examples include:
  • Astrocytoma
  • Ependymoma
  • Glioblastoma
  • Oligodendroglioma
• Medulloblastoma: Aggressive tumor that commonly occurs in children
• Meningioma: Grows from the protective membranes (meninges) covering the brain
• Pituitary adenoma: Emerges from the pituitary gland, often causing hormonal imbalances depending on the cell type involved
• Schwannoma: Benign tumor that originates from Schwann cells, which insulate nerves

Each type presents unique challenges and requires specialized treatment approaches.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the tumor's size, location, and growth rate. Common warning signs include:

• Headaches
• Seizures
• Difficulty thinking, speaking, or finding words
• Changes in personality or behavior
• Weakness, numbness, or loss of movement in one part or one side of the body
• Difficulty with balance or dizziness
• Sensory changes like difficulty hearing, difficulty seeing, or loss of smell
• Memory loss
• Confusion in everyday matters or disorientation
• Unexplained nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue or muscle weakness

If you experience persistent or worsening symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately.

Causes and risk factors

The exact cause of most brain tumors remains unknown. However, certain factors may increase risk and understanding these factors aids in assessing individual risk profiles.

• Genetic predisposition: Family history of brain tumors
• Radiation exposure: Previous radiation therapy to the head
• Age: Some tumors are more common in children, while others occur more frequently in adults
• *Cell phones: While some studies in the past have suggested a possible link between cell phone use and increased risk of certain brain tumors, the findings have been inconsistent. Extensive research has not shown categorical proof of this connection. Future research will be needed to determine an increased risk for malignant or benign tumors

*Findings are inconsistent.

Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment planning. At UF Health, our specialists employ advanced diagnostic tools, including:

• Neurological examinations: To assess reflexes, coordination and sensory functions
• Imaging studies: To visualize tumor location and size using an MRI and CT scan
• Biopsy: To obtain a tissue sample for histological analysis

These methods ensure a comprehensive evaluation of each case.

Treatment options

Our treatment strategies are tailored to the individual's specific tumor type and overall health. UF Health’s care options include:

• Surgery: Removing as much of the tumor as possible
• Chemotherapy: Employing drugs to kill or inhibit cancer cells
• Immunotherapy: Boosting the body’s immune system to fight cancer
• Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT): Heating and destroying targeted brain tissue using a laser probe as part of a minimally invasive brain surgery
• Optune therapy: Using low-intensity electrical fields to disrupt the division of cancer cells as part of a noninvasive treatment for glioblastoma multiforme
• Radiosurgery: Delivering a large dose of radiation to tumor cells through hundreds of focused radiation beams while sparing normal brain tissue around it

Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

UF Health’s MEG scanner at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases is one of only a few in the U.S. It provides noninvasive, highly precise mapping of brain activity to help doctors see tumor boundaries and protect important functions such as speech and movement during surgery for glioblastoma. When combined with advanced MRI in the Dorothy M. Mangurian Neuroimaging Suite, MEG helps guide safer tumor removal and can support faster access to targeted clinical trials.

Our multidisciplinary team collaborates to develop personalized treatment plans, ensuring optimal outcomes. For patients, here’s what to expect when you visit UF Health.

Why choose UF Health?

UF Health Shands Hospital is nationally recognized for excellence in neurology and neurosurgery, with U.S. News & World Report ranking us among the top hospitals in the country in this field. More specifically, our commitment to leading-edge research, the latest technology and compassionate care make us leaders in brain tumor treatment.

However, those are just some of the many ways UF Health stands out when it comes to brain tumor treatment:

• World-renowned for expertise in neuroanatomy, microsurgery and skull base surgery
• Expertise in endoscopic and other minimally invasive surgical techniques
• UF-patented technology for computer-assisted brain tumor surgery and radiosurgery
• Pediatric tumor expertise
• Complex spine tumor experience

Support services

We understand the emotional and psychological impact of a brain tumor diagnosis. UF Health offers comprehensive support services, including counseling, support groups and rehabilitation programs, to assist patients and their families throughout the treatment journey.