Brain Cancer

An abnormal growth of cells in the brain (a tumor) can be either cancerous or non-cancerous. Brain cancer can either originate in the brain (primary brain cancers) or spread to the brain from another part of the body (secondary brain cancers).

We specialize in the removal of malignant or high-grade gliomas, glioblastomas (a class of primary brain tumors) and metastatic or secondary brain cancers.

Glioblastoma

Grade IV astrocytoma (formed from cells that support nerve cells) is commonly called a glioblastoma, GBM or glioblastoma multiforme. Glioblastoma can occur in the brain or the spinal cord and is the most common malignant (cancerous) adult brain tumor and also one of the fastest-growing tumors.

Glioblastoma surgery is performed with the goal of achieving a “maximal safe resection,” or removing as much of the tumor as possible without causing lasting neurological damage. This approach requires a significant amount of neurosurgical expertise, as glioblastomas often grow extensively throughout multiple regions of the brain. Because successful surgery can greatly improve a patient’s prognosis and quality of life, it is important for patients to turn to a neurosurgeon like Dr. Fayaz who has expertise in removing these complex tumors.

Metastatic Brain Cancer

Metastatic cancer is commonly called stage IV cancer or advanced cancer. It occurs when cancer cells break off from the original tumor, spread through the bloodstream or lymph vessels to another part of the body, and form new tumors. Metastatic brain cancer, also called secondary brain cancer, occurs when cancer spreads to the brain from another part of the body. It’s about ten times more common than primary brain cancer, which starts in the brain, and does not spread beyond the brain to other regions of the body.

Metastases are the most common intracranial tumors in adults, accounting for more than half of all intracranial tumors. The primary approaches to the treatment of brain metastases include surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT).

At The Brain & Spine institute of North Houston, we provide diagnostic biopsy procedures using the minimally invasive Stealth cranial navigation system, providing extensive visual information to optimize localization of anatomy and assist in surgical planning. If your cancer treatment plan calls for a surgical procedure, you will have the advantage of a brain cancer surgical specialist with Dr. Fayaz.

This is a cancer that began elsewhere in your body and then spread to your brain, forming one or more tumors. Many different cancers can spread this way. These tumors are actually more common than tumors that begin in the brain’s own tissues.

Dr. Fayaz has extensive experience diagnosing and removing brain metastases using innovative, noninvasive imaging technologies and minimally invasive surgical techniques. Being specially trained in brain metastatic brain surgery, Dr. Fayaz has extensive experience in evaluating and treating people with all types of brain metastases including those with rare conditions and those who require complex surgeries. Many tumors can be eliminated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments if detected and diagnosed early. But once cancer spreads throughout the body, or widely metastasizes, it becomes much harder to stop its growth.