Brain Tumors

Brain Tumor Conditions Treated at NSPC

Our neuro-oncologists and neurosurgeons treat a wide range of brain tumor conditions:

• Acoustic Neuroma
• Anaplastic Tumors
• Brain Lymphoma
• Brain Metastases
• Brain Tumors
• Carcinomatous Meningitis
• CNS Lymphoma
• Ependymoma
• Glioblastoma
• Gliomas
• High-grade Tumors
• Leptomeningeal
• Lymphomatous
• Medulloblastoma
• Neoplastic Meningitis
• Neurological Complications of Cancer
• Oligodendroglioma
• Pituitary Tumor
• Schwannoma
• Spinal Tumor

Brain Tumor Treatments at NSPC

Gamma Knife and CyberKnife Radiosurgery are bloodless neurosurgical techniques for treating brain diseases with highly focused radiation beams. Radiosurgery can often be used instead of standard open surgery and radiation.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Tumor

This nonsurgical procedure employs beams of radiation to treat tumors or lesions deep inside the brain. Generally, adults are kept awake during Gamma Knife radiosurgery, but children are usually given anesthesia to prevent them from moving during the treatment. The treatment may take several hours.

1. Preparation The patient’s scalp is numbed in preparation for the procedure. A frame is secured to the head with four pins that push just under the skin.
   MRI Scan An MRI of the brain tumor creates a three-dimensional map of the tumor. Our board-certified neurosurgeon will pinpoint the tumor referencing points on the frame.
2. Planning the Procedure Using the MRI scan, the radiation oncologist, the medical physicist and the neurosurgeon plan the treatment process to accurately deliver the correct amount of radiation into the tumor.
3. Gamma Treatment The patient is put inside a machine called a Gamma Unit. The machine directs beams of gamma radiation from many angles into the tumor.
4. End of Procedure and After Care After the head frame is removed, the pinholes on the scalp may be a bit sore, and the patient may have a headache or feel nauseated. You may not notice the results of the procedure right away.

Additional Information about Brain Tumors

A primary brain tumor is a mass of tissue that is formed by an accumulation of abnormal cells. This abnormal cell division can occur in the following places:

• Neurons (nerve cells)
• Glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells)
• Lymphatic tissue
• Blood vessels
• Cranial nerves (myelin-producing Schwann cells)
• Membranes around brain (meninges)
• Skull
• Pituitary and pineal glands

CyberKnife treatment for Tumor

This procedure uses groundbreaking guidance technology to target and track tumors and lesions. CyberKnife treatments focus high-energy x-rays to anywhere in the body with computerized image-guided precision.

1. Preparation and Scans Imaging and scans can be completed days before the procedure takes place.
2. Planning the Procedure Our expert medical oncologists and skilled neurosurgeons plan the treatment using the scans. Because the patients do not need to be in a headframe, treatments can be broken up into more sessions. (Some tumors may respond better to several lower doses of radiation.)
3. CyberKnife Treatment Several cameras with powerful computer software continuously track the tumor’s position during treatment. A computer-controlled robotic arm delivers hundreds of precise radiation beams to the site. By continuously tracking the tumor, several cameras with powerful computer software can adjust quickly and with precision.
4. End of Procedure and After Care The treatment is considered outpatient, and you can usually go home the same day.

Symptoms of Brain Tumors

Tumors have a wide range of symptoms depending on where they are located. For instance, a tumor on the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve, can cause facial pain, while a mass near the optical pathways can cause vision problems. Depending on the location, brain tumors can cause a broad spectrum of physical and behavioral symptoms.

Some common symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Personality changes
• Seizures
• Difficulty walking or clumsiness

Even an unusual symptom such as phantoms smells do not necessarily indicate a brain tumor. Evaluation of tumors includes neuro-imaging, such as CT scans and MRI. Occasionally a biopsy is necessary. Treatment depends on the type of tumor and its location. Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be part of the treatment. At our NSPC Long Island Brain Tumor Center, we have the capability for accurate diagnosis and employ a multi-disciplinary treatment team, including neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-oncology and neurological surgery.

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