Brain cancer

If you are experiencing neurological symptoms, such as chronic headaches or changes in vision, you should visit with a neurological specialist. Our neurologists offer a full spectrum of services for treating conditions affecting the brain, spine and nerves. If a tumor is identified during evaluation, our multidisciplinary neurological team will provide comprehensive cancer care.

The symptoms of a brain tumor vary depending on the size and location of the tumor. While many of these symptoms can be caused by other health problems, the following signs are often associated with brain tumors:

• Confusion and disorientation
• Difficulty thinking, speaking or finding words
• Drowsiness or lethargy
• Headaches
• Loss of balance or difficulty walking
• Memory loss
• Personality or behavioral changes
• Seizures or convulsions
• Sensory , such as numbness or tingling
• Vision changes
• Vomiting or nausea
• Weakness or paralysis in a part or side of the body

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis of your neurological condition. They may refer you to a brain cancer specialist.

In addition to our imaging services, patients have access to neuroradiologists who perform imaging procedures using advanced techniques. Our neuroradiologists use imaging technology to acquire highly detailed images of the brain and spine that help us form a unique treatment plan for every tumor.

We are committed to providing coordinated care, which is why our specialists collaborate in a shared setting to facilitate treatment decisions.

Following the diagnosis of a cancerous brain or spine tumor, patients meet with our board-certified and fellowship trained doctors. Tumor treatment teams may include a neuro-oncologist, neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, plus specialists in neuroradiology, neuro pain intervention and neuro rehabilitation.

With our multidisciplinary patient case conferences, specialists are able to collaborate in a shared clinical setting each week. This approach to patient care allows for faster decision making in diagnosis and time to treatment.

We provide a range of advanced technologies and treatment options for brain and spine tumors, including:

• Access to clinical research trials
• Cancer rehabilitation services
• Chemotherapy infusion services
• Oral chemotherapy
• Genetic profiling
• Immunotherapy
• Intrathecal chemotherapy infusion
• Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) for metastatic in-operable lesions
• Management of neurologic and systemic (whole body) symptoms
• Minimally invasive thermotherapy (destruction of cells through heat) using robot-assisted technology
• MRI-guided, minimally-invasive laser ablation procedure for brain lesions
• “Awake” craniotomy
• Skull base surgery
• Targeted radiation therapies using:
  • Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
  • Intensity-modulated therapy (IMRT)
  • Planar and cone-beam computerized tomography (CT) imaging
  • Stereotactic radiosurgery
  • Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)
• Survivorship and cancer support programs
• Wearable medical device that produces an electrical field to disrupt cellular division

Sarah Cannon at HCA Midwest Health is committed to providing care throughout the entire cancer journey, from diagnosis through survivorship. We offer services for long-term cancer-support, including:

• Behavioral health services
• Brain tumor support groups
• Nutritional services
• Palliative care consultations for pain management