Brain Cancer

Brain tumors account for one in every 100 cancers diagnosed annually in the United States. The Center for Neurosurgical and Spine Care at Morton Plant Hospital offers patients suffering from malignant brain tumors, as well as tumors of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves, access to the newest surgical and non-surgical treatments. Our multidisciplinary approach involves a comprehensive evaluation of each patient's illness and associated symptoms by specialists who have extensive experience managing cancers of the nervous system.

Diagnostic Testing for Brain Cancer

A full range of diagnostic testing procedures is available at Carlisle Imaging Center, located in the Axelrod Pavilion at Morton Plant Hospital. This state-of-the-art imaging facility offers the most advanced radiologic technology available, as well as a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere. The expert team of board-certified radiologists and technicians at the Carlisle Imaging Center offers diagnostic tests for brain cancer such as MRI, PET/CT scan and cerebral angiography.

Treatment Options for Brain Cancer

Typically, surgical removal is the primary treatment for most of the more than 120 different types of brain tumors. Our respected neurosurgery team includes a neurosurgeon, neuroradiologist, neurophysicist, and neuro-radiation oncologist.

We utilize the latest brain cancer treatment techniques, including computer-assisted tumor removal (volumetric stereotactic resection). This technique allows the neurosurgeon to plan and simulate the surgical procedure to determine the safest and least invasive route to the brain tumor. Sometimes, to prevent a recurrence of the tumor, chemotherapy-coated wafers may be placed in the resection cavity after a tumor has been removed.

This surgery offers significant advances in patient care:

• Smallest possible incision
• Reduced injury to normal brain tissue
• Opportunity to remove more complex tumors
• Less blood loss and pain than in similar traditional surgery

Additional Treatment Options for Brain Cancer

Radiation therapy may be used when surgery is not advisable or for tumors that cannot be completely removed. It may also be used after surgery to destroy residual tumor cells and prevent or delay the reoccurrence of a tumor. Radiation therapy can slow or stop the growth of inoperable brain tumors. In some cases, materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) are placed directly into the tumor to destroy tumor cells from the inside (internal radiation therapy). Radiation therapy, including the Trilogy Linear Accelerator, is available on an outpatient basis at Lykes Radiation Pavilion where we offer 3-D conformal radiation therapy, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and stereotactic radiosurgery.

Chemotherapy, administered orally or intravenously, may also be given alone or in combination with other treatments to destroy tumor cells. Outpatient infusion services, including combination, regional, and systemic chemotherapy, are available at the Axelrod Pavilion.

For a free physician referral, please call the BayCare Customer Service Center at (727) 462-7500 or find a specialist near you.