UF Health Offers Patients Expertise in the Treatment of Brain Tumors, Head and Neck Cancers

When a tumor is in the highly sensitive region of the brain, central nervous system (CNS), head or neck, preserving the function of nearby healthy organs and tissue is a critical part of the treatment plan. A combination of treatments is often needed, such as surgery and radiation, to remove the tumor and prevent the cancerous cells from continuing to grow or spread.

Adults and children who are being treated at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute have access to the multidisciplinary team of specialists and subspecialists at the University of Florida. Tumor boards meet weekly to review cases and plan the best treatment for each individual. The Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy in Gainesville, the UF Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery – Jacksonville, and the UF Health Skull Base Center at UF Health Jacksonville all participate in the weekly tumor board meetings with the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute.

The Wells Center for Brain Tumor Therapy is home to some of the most advanced neuro-oncology research in the world and is supported by the National Institutes of Health and other grant sources.

The UF Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery – Jacksonville has expertise and experience in head and neck cancer, skull base tumors, brain tumors and microvascular reconstructive procedures.

The UF Health Skull Base Center has dedicated neuropathologists and neurosurgeons specializing in skull base tumors and is equipped with endoscopic-assisted microneurosurgery, image guidance and robotic surgery.

The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute has radiation oncologists who subspecialize in brain, CNS, and head and neck cancer. The most advanced radiotherapy technology, such as IMRT and proton therapy, is used to achieve the optimal dose that will control the tumor and avoid excess radiation to healthy tissue. These techniques can often spare patients from serious side effects such as vision loss, IQ deficits or hearing loss.

Brain and CNS tumors^1,2 and head and neck cancers³ are relatively rare. But for people who are diagnosed, treatment at an academic health system like UF Health that treats a high volume of the type of tumor is recommended. Studies have associated improved patient outcomes with high-volume centers.^4,5,6

More information about brain tumor treatment in adults and children and head and neck cancer is on our website.