Brain Stem Cancer
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Brain Stem Cancer Overview

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Learn About Brain Stem Cancer

What is the definition of Brain Stem Cancer?
Brainstem cancers are usually astrocytomas or gliomas that are classified by their location in different areas of the brainstem and include focal brainstem gliomas, diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG), and diffuse midline gliomas. Depending on the type and location, brainstem cancers may progress slowly or rapidly, range from grades I–IV, and may occur in children and adults.
What are the symptoms of Brain Stem Cancer?
The brainstem controls such critical functions as swallowing, blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and the muscles and nerves that control talking, eating, walking, hearing, and seeing. For this reason, the signs and symptoms of brainstem cancer may include headache, nausea and vomiting, balance problems, numbness or weakness of the limbs, facial paralysis, double vision, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and difficulty talking. Symptoms may come on suddenly and progress rapidly within a day or so, while some patients may experience no symptoms at all or symptoms that slowly progress.
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What are the current treatments for Brain Stem Cancer?
While some patients may be initially placed under observation until signs and symptoms appear, treatment of brainstem gliomas include surgery, radiation therapy (external or internal), chemotherapy, and cerebrospinal fluid diversion. Surgery may not always be possible due to the tumor’s location in the brainstem, in which case radiation treatment is started. Chemotherapy may be added to radiation therapy or administered after. Cerebrospinal fluid diversion involves the use of a shunt implanted in a ventricle of the brain to siphon off excess fluid from the brain. New targeted therapies for the treatment of brainstem gliomas are currently under investigation.
Who are the top Brain Stem Cancer Local Doctors?
Anthony L. Asher
Distinguished in Brain Stem Cancer
Dr. Anthony L. Asher
Neurosurgery
Distinguished in Brain Stem Cancer
Dr. Anthony L. Asher
Neurosurgery

Carolinas Medical Center

1000 Blythe Blvd., 
Charlotte, NC 
704-355-2000
Languages Spoken:
English
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Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Anthony Asher is a Neurosurgery provider in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Asher is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Brain Stem Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Spondylolisthesis, Cervical Myelopathy, Brain Tumor, Laminectomy, and Spinal Fusion. Dr. Asher is currently accepting new patients.

Juan C. Tejada
Distinguished in Brain Stem Cancer
Dr. Juan C. Tejada
Neurosurgery
Distinguished in Brain Stem Cancer
Dr. Juan C. Tejada
Neurosurgery

Advocate Medical Group Neurosurgery

716 S Milwaukee Ave, 
Libertyville, IL 
847-362-1848
Languages Spoken:
English, Spanish
See accepted insurances

Juan Tejada is a Neurosurgery provider in Libertyville, Illinois. Dr. Tejada is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Brain Stem Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET), Posterior Fossa Tumor, Apoplexy, Awake Craniotomy, and Microdiscectomy.

 
 
 
 
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Adrian T. Harvey
Advanced in Brain Stem Cancer
Dr. Adrian T. Harvey
Neurosurgery
Advanced in Brain Stem Cancer
Dr. Adrian T. Harvey
Neurosurgery

Texas Health Neurosurgery And Spine Specialists

800 5th Ave, Ste 500, 
Fort Worth, TX 
817-250-4280
Languages Spoken:
English, Spanish
See accepted insurances
Offers Telehealth

Dr. Harvey is a board-certified neurosurgeon with fellowship training in complex spine surgery. He also completed a one-year fellowship in neurosurgical oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Harvey's area of special focus is the treatment of brain and spine tumors with additional interest in spinal cord trauma. He is an Arizona native who received his medical degree from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University in Glendale before completing his residency training in neurosurgery at the University of Illinois in Bloomington. As part of his residency, Harvey completed his complex spine fellowship at the University of Illinois Peoria. In addition to practicing medicine, he is a Major in the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps. He speaks Finnish and some Spanish. Dr. Harvey is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Brain Stem Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Subdural Hematoma, Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Delirium, Awake Craniotomy, and Bone Graft.

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What are the latest Brain Stem Cancer Clinical Trials?
PEACH TRIAL- Precision mEdicine and Adoptive Cellular tHerapy for the Treatment of Recurrent Neuroblastoma and Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)
PEACH TRIAL- Precision mEdicine and Adoptive Cellular tHerapy for the Treatment of Recurrent Neuroblastoma and Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)
Who is this study for: Patients with Malignant Glioma, Neuroblastoma
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 03, 2026
Intervention Type: Biological
Study Drug: Tumor-Specific Ex Vivo Expanded Autologous Lymphocyte Transfer (TTRNA-xALT)
Study Phase: Phase 1

Summary: A Phase I open-label, multicenter study, to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of treating children with newly diagnosed DIPG or recurrent neuroblastoma with molecular targeted therapy in combination with adoptive cell therapy (Total tumor mRNA-pulsed autologous Dendritic Cells (DCs) (TTRNA-DCs), Tumor-specific ex vivo expanded autologous lymphocyte transfer (TTRNA-...

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A Phase 1/2 Trial of CBL0137 (NSC# 825802) in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Solid Tumors Including CNS Tumors and Lymphoma
A Phase 1/2 Trial of CBL0137 (NSC# 825802) in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Solid Tumors Including CNS Tumors and Lymphoma
Who is this study for: Patients with Glioma
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: December 22, 2025
Intervention Type: Drug, Procedure
Study Drug: FACT Complex-Targeting Curaxin CBL0137
Study Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2

Summary: This phase I/II trial evaluates the best dose, side effects and possible benefit of CBL0137 in treating patients with solid tumors, including central nervous system (CNS) tumors or lymphoma that has come back (relapsed) or does not respond to treatment (refractory). Drugs, such as CBL0137, block signals passed from one molecule to another inside a cell. Blocking these signals can affect many funct...

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What are some Advocacy Organizations?
keep-punching-brain-cancer

Keep Punching supports patients, healthcare providers, and researchers in their fight to prevent and eradicate brain cancer and minimize treatment-related side effects that may adversely impact function and comfort.