Brain tumours

Patients suffering from brain and spinal cord tumours are taken care of by the Brain and Spinal Cord Tumour Centre at the CHUV.

The Centre brings together internationally recognized specialists who work closely together to provide personalised care to over 1,000 patients annually. Together, they allow for a customised and coordinated approach to patient care, from diagnosis to post-treatment follow-up.

Brain and Spinal Cord Tumour Centre

These specialists mainly treat the following diseases:

Glioma

A glioma is a family of tumours that develop in the brain or spinal cord. It originates in the glial cells, which have a role in supporting and protecting neurons, the nerve cells of the brain. It includes:

• Glioblastoma
  Glioblastoma is a cancer that develops in the brain or spinal cord. It is a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumour.
   
• Astrocytoma
  Astrocytoma is a tumour that develops in the brain or spinal cord. It is a type of glioma that originates from the glial cells called "astrocytes."
   
• Oligodendroglioma
  Oligodendroglioma is a tumour that develops in the brain or spinal cord. It is a type of glioma that originates in the glial cells called "oligodendrocytes." In the normal state, these cells have the function of producing myelin, which insulates nerve fibers.
   
• Ependymoma
  Ependymoma is a tumour that develops in the brain or spinal cord. It is a type of glioma that originates in the glial cells that line the passages of cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that nourishes the brain.

Medulloblastoma
Medulloblastoma is an aggressive brain cancer. It generally originates from primitive nerve cells in the cerebellum, the part of the brain involved in coordinating muscles and balance.

Meningioma
A meningioma is a tumour that develops from the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Acoustic neuroma
An acoustic neuroma is a tumour of nervous origin. It is a tumour that develops at the level of the acoustic nerve, the nerve of hearing and balance.