WHAT IS IT

• Meningiomas – tumors that begin in the meninges, three thin layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord

• Malignant tumors – including glioblastomas, oligodendromas and astrocytomas

• Metastatic lesions – tumors caused by cancer located elsewhere in the body

SYMPTOMS

Frequent headaches; Changes in hearing, vision or sense of smell and touch; Fatigue; Loss of balance; Memory loss; Mood swings or change in personality; Muscle weakness; Nausea; Numbness on one side of your body; Seizures; Speech difficulty; Vomiting

TREATMENTS

MAIN LINE HEALTH

• Surgery: Surgery options include robotic and computer guided surgery that enables surgeons to make smaller openings so there is less trauma and recovery. Sometimes, surgery is all that is needed to fully remove a brain tumor.

• Chemotherapy: This treatment is necessary for higher-grade tumors and also when surgeons are unable to remove all of a tumor due to its size and location. Some tumors may respond to chemotherapy alone, without surgery.

• Radiation Therapy: Traditional external beam radiation may be used in combination with chemotherapy for     high-grade tumors or those that surgeons cannot fully remove. In addition, Main Line Health offers the latest in internal beam radiation to target tumors more closely. 

JEFFERSON HEALTH

• Brachytherapy – destroys tumors by implanting radioactive medicine directly to or near the treatment site

• Chemotherapy – reaches cancer that may have spread, even microscopically, throughout the body

• Craniotomy – surgical procedure that removes a bone flap, a section of the skull, to access the brain

• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy – uses computer technology to deliver radiation treatment that precisely fits the size and shape of the tumor

• Minimally invasive cranial base surgery – uses smaller incisions and specially designed instruments to eliminate a tumor while saving surrounding tissue from damage

• Stereotactic radiosurgery & radiotherapy – a noninvasive procedure that applies large doses of radiation directly to a tumor

WHAT TO EXPECT

Living with a brain tumor can be difficult. Aside from the symptoms you may experience, you must also deal with the side effects from treatments. Medical advancements over the last 20 years have significantly increased the survival rate of patients with brain tumors and helped them to live longer following diagnosis. At Main Line Health, we are not only here to offer you the very best possible treatments, but to answer any questions you may have and to help you navigate all your options during this difficult time.

We offer support and palliative care to address your physical, emotional and social needs during this time. Some palliative care treatments include:

• Anti-seizure medication

• Corticosteroids to lower swelling in the brain

• Emotional support

• Nutritional support

• Relaxation techniques

Our goal is to help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life so you can make the most of your time and reach the fullest possible recovery.

BENEFITS OF GOING HERE

MAIN LINE HEALTH

New techonologies, quick diagnosis: At Main Line Health, we have the latest diagnostic techniques so we can assess your symptoms and make an accurate diagnosis quickly. Full range of treatment options: The Main Line Health brain cancer specialists also take into consideration your personal preferences when it comes to treatment planning. We will explain all of your options fully and work with you to provide the best possible care plan for your individual situation.

JEFFERSON HEALTH

Top-ranked neouroscience and cancer care for brain tumors; At Jefferson Health, our team of experts can guide you from diagnosis through treatment and recovery using the latest, most advanced therapies and expertise in surgery and brain tumor treatment. As the area’s only dedicated neuroscience hospital, our specialists treat the highest volume of brain tumors in the region, including meningiomas, malignant and benign tumors and metastatic lesions. Bringing together the expertise and experience of the Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience and the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, our team has also helped many patients navigate life after a brain tumor diagnosis, and can provide you with the support and care you need.

• Advanced treatment: We apply scientific discoveries and breakthroughs to provide individualized treatment plans.

• Innovation: First hospital in the region to provide Gamma Knife and the only in the region offering the latest Gamma Knife — an ultraprecise form of radiosurgery.

• NCI-designated: We’re one of the National Cancer Institute’s 70 designated cancer centers in the nation — noted for our research and delivering cutting-edge treatments to patients.

• Leaders in radiosurgery.

• Coordinated care: Our multidisciplinary team of experts work together to create a seamless experience for patients and their families.