Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Program

The Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Programs at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi provides specialized care and support for people diagnosed with Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors.

Cervical Cancer Program

Overview

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Program represents the forefront of groundbreaking care for tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). Our highly experienced team provide specialized care and support for people diagnosed with brain tumors and spinal cord tumors, offering a full range of advanced and personalized treatment options.

Why Choose Us?

Our multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists work together to plan and deliver individualized care for patients with the most complex brain and spinal cord tumors.

Patients benefit from our full range of advanced diagnostic and comprehensive treatment options for non-malignant and malignant brain and spinal cord tumors.

What We Treat

Brain Tumors

A brain tumor is a mass formed by abnormal cells growing in the brain. Most are thought to be caused by random cell mutations that take place as we age. They can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).

Primary brain tumors are growths that start in the brain. These types of brain tumors grow and behave differently from other cancers. They don’t usually spread outside of the brain or spinal cord to other parts of the body. They cause problems by pushing on the brain or growing into it. Symptoms of brain tumors can include headaches, seizures, weakness or difficulty speaking – the type of symptom is related to the location of the tumor in the brain.

Spinal Cord Tumors

A spine tumor is a mass formed by the growth of abnormal cells. Spine tumors can grow in the spinal cord tissue itself, the nerve roots exiting the spinal cord, the covering of the spinal cord (called the meninges), as well as the bone, cartilage and muscle. Primary tumors start in the spine. Most don’t spread outside of the nervous system. Metastatic tumors are caused by cancer that has travelled to the spine from another place in the body.

Specific types of Tumors:

Vestibular Schwannoma (Acoustic Neuroma)

These are benign tumors that originate from the Schwann cells covering the vestibular nerve, which connects the inner ear to the brain. Vestibular schwannomas can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness.

Gliomas

These tumors arise from the glial cells in the brain or spinal cord. Gliomas can be classified into different types, such as astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, or glioblastomas. These types of tumor can vary in their aggressiveness, with glioblastomas being the most malignant form.

Pituitary tumors

These are tumors that develop in the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of the brain that is responsible for producing hormones that regulate many important functions in the body. Patients with pituitary tumors can present with headaches, visual problems, and hormonal imbalances.

Meningioma

These are tumors that arise from the meninges, the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningiomas are often benign, but can compress the brain or spinal cord and cause neurological symptoms.

Metastasis

Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer cells from a primary tumor to other parts of the body. In the context of brain tumors, brain metastases occur when cancer cells from another organ (like the lung or breast) spread to the brain, forming secondary tumors.