Most Progressive Treatment Options
“Brain glioblastoma (cancer) may have slowed me down, but it hasn’t stopped me.” After having 95% of a brain tumor removed, Marilyn underwent radiation and is now receiving chemotherapy.
“Overall I feel pretty good—I’m able to keep up with my grandchildren’s lives, go to the movies and belong to a senior club. I’m grateful that I can still enjoy life thanks to my team of physicians: Christopher Chow, MD, Internal Medicine; J. Gary Davidson, MD, Medical Director, Leavey Cancer Center; Wei Mi, MD, Neurologist; Afshin Safa, MD, Medical Director, Radiation Oncology; and Asher Taban, MD, Neurosurgeon. They were understanding, compassionate, and I had complete confidence in them.”
Northridge Hospital Medical Center's
team of brain cancer specialists
treats patients with all types of primary brain and metastatic brain tumors. The
spine oncology team
uses a multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of spinal tumors. This allows neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, neuroradiologists, physiatrists, neuro-oncologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and nurses to work together as they devise an individualized treatment plan for each patient.
Less than 10 percent of spine tumors originate in the spine. Most spine tumors have metastasized (spread) to the spine from cancers that began in other locations. Advanced imaging is used to diagnose and stage the cancer.
A biopsy of the tumor may also be necessary. Using a computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy, a sample of tissue or fluid is removed through a fine needle using the CT as a guide. Treatment for these tumors usually involves a combination of interventional radiology, surgery and radiation therapy, followed by rehabilitation.
Surgical Options
Our surgical team is dedicated to providing our patients with a complete range of options best suited to their individual needs. Our cancer specialists are extraordinarily precise in removing the cancer while preserving as much normal tissue and function as possible.
Minimally-invasive surgery is a surgical approach to cancer treatment designed to minimize trauma, maximize outcomes and enable patients to quickly return to their normal everyday activities. Recent studies have shown that, for many cancers, patients have fewer complications if they have surgery at a hospital that performs high volumes of these operations and if the surgery is performed by a surgeon with expertise in the procedure.
Surgery is often the first step in treating tumors that can be removed without damaging the nerves or healthy tissue. Newer techniques and instruments, including laser surgery to break up the tumor, allow neurosurgeons to reach tumors that were once inaccessible.
Surgery is often performed on tumors that previously did not respond to radiation therapy.
- Gamma Knife – As the gold standard in brain surgery, the Gamma Knife delivers safe, effective brain surgery without a single cut or even shaving the hair by focusing 201 beams of gamma radiation at the precise lesion or tumor in the brain.
- Using the BrainLAB Image-guided surgery (IGS) technology with 3D and ultra-sound capabilities, the surgeon is able to conduct pre-operative planning and simulate the surgical procedure before the first incision is made. With dedicated computer-aided Surgery (CAS) Instrumentation and Fluoro to CT Registration, the technology offers support for a wide range of complex and minimally-invasive procedures in cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine surgery.
- Trilogy© Linear Accelerator Stereotactic System for image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is the world's premier image-guided system that is capable of delivering all forms of external beam radiation, including Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). It can treat cancer anywhere in the body by precisely targeting tumors and delivering a higher dose of radiation, resulting in fewer treatment sessions.
- Two fully-integrated, state-of-the-art Spine Surgery Operating Suites are outfitted with: radiologic c-arm, cell savers, integrated intercom system for pathology, radiology or other consultation, wall-mounted imaging monitors, and PACS.
- Surgical Microscope offers integrated support for intra-operative angiography and simultaneous integration with BrainLAB neuronavigation images.
- • The Jackson Spinal Table Top provides the most advanced technology today for spinal surgery positioning.
Advanced Radiation Technology
The Harold and Carole Pump Department of Radiation Oncology offers:
• Gamma Knife - As the gold standard in brain surgery, the Gamma Knife delivers safe, effective brain surgery without a single cut or even shaving the hair by focusing 201 beams of gamma radiation at the precise lesion or tumor in the brain. • Trilogy™ Stereotactic System – the leading image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) system.
• Multiple Energy Electron Beam - is used for cancers which are not deep and which electrons do not penetrate. This treatment reducing radiation to underlying healthy tissue.
• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) - is the most advanced form of external beam radiation therapy. This state-of-the-art cancer treatment delivers a beam of high-dose radiation, which can take on the precise size and shape of the cancerous growth while reducing radiation to healthy tissue.
• Conformal Radiation - A procedure that uses computers to create a 3-dimensional picture of the tumor in order to target the tumor as accurately as possible and give it the highest possible dose of radiation while sparing normal tissue as much as possible. Conventional radiation therapy directs X-rays not only at the tumor, but also unavoidably at nearby healthy tissue.
Trusted Chemotherapy
We offer the most advanced methods of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy treatment. Our patients are given a comfortable, supportive setting while receiving intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) or oral medication. In addition, we offer personalized care, including nutritional recommendations and help for patients to look and feel their best with specialized beauty tips and meditation techniques.
Integrative Medicine
The Northridge Hospital Integrative Medicine program provides the highest quality medical care by combining state-of-the-art Western medicine with science-based alternative and complementary therapies under the direction of a Board-certified physician who specializes in Integrative Medicine and treatment.
Clinical Research
Groundbreaking medical advances are the result of new ideas and approaches developed through clinical research. Northridge Hospital Medical Center remains on the forefront of the latest research developments by offering participation in clinical research. For information on cancer trials we are currently conducting, please call our Cancer Research Department at (818) 885-5458.
Blending the most sophisticated technology available with top experts, the Leavey Cancer Center offers unequaled medical expertise and superb patient care. Dedicated to boosting cancer awareness in our community, the Leavey Cancer Center educates community members on neurological cancers and partners with the American Cancer Society for community events.
