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Brain Cancer Home |
Survival Rates |
Medical Staff |
Nurse Coordinator |
Diagnostics |
Treatment & Technology |
Case Conferences |
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Patient Stories
Winning Against Brain Cancer
With more than 600 newly diagnosed patients a year, Hoag has the largest brain tumor program in Orange County, and one of the largest brain cancer programs in the United States.
The patient population with brain cancers includes those with primary gliomas (including malignant astrocytomas and glioblastomas) as well as cancers metastatic to the brain from various sites including lung, melanoma, and breast, as well as others.
With a multidisciplinary approach that includes prevention, early detection, the use of standard effective therapies, promising new therapies, participation in laboratory and clinical research, an internationally renowned gamma knife program and extensive complementary care, the team at Hoag Cancer Center provides patients with malignant brain tumors with every diagnostic and therapeutic advantage.
Hoag’s comprehensive neuro-oncology program includes:
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Survival Rates
Based on age-matched comparisons, survival for Hoag patients with a new diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is similar to national survival rates for GBM. However, the survival rate at Hoag is twice as high for GBM patients who are able to be undergo a treatment plan that includes surgical resection of the GBM, radiation therapy to that part of the brain, gamma knife treatment to the "leading edges" of the tumor, chemotherapy, and then a second operation at which time immune cells are placed in the area from which the GBM was resected. In order to receive this treatment, patients must meet the eligibility requirements of an investigational protocol.
Specific Hoag data shows an 11-month median survival and a two-year survival rate of 17 percent. For the immunotherapy protocol, survival rate data shows a 22 month median survival, and 36 percent two-year survival rate.
For more about Hoag’s GBM clinical trial, click here.
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Medical Staff Expertise
Hoag’s expert team of board-certified neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neurologists, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists provide the latest in state-of-the-art surgical procedures and treatment options for patients with malignant gliomas and cancers metastatic to the brain.
Additionally, Hoag’s expert medical staff is complemented by its highly trained team of certified oncology nurses. Dedicated to delivering patient-centered care, Hoag’s nursing staff ranks among the nation’s top nurses, as validated by Hoag’s designation as a Magnet™ hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Hoag-Affiliated Brain Cancer Experts
Medical Director
Physician Expertise
Obtaining your cancer care from a medical team that treats a high volume of patients with your specific cancer type has its advantages – namely, successful patient outcomes.
Studies show that physicians who treat large numbers of patients with a specific disease achieve better patient outcomes. Hoag physicians treat and manage more brain tumor patients than any other facility in Orange County.
Hoag’s expert medical team and outstanding technology are just two reasons why patients with brain tumors are referred to Hoag for treatment.
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Nurse Coordinator
Kathleen Thomas R.N., B.S.N., Gamma Knife Intake Coordinator; heads a team of registered nurses who provide care for patients undergoing treatment in the Gamma Knife Center.
Kathleen received her AA degree from Golden West College in 1978 and her B.S.N. from California State College, Fullerton in 1981. She has been a Hoag nurse since 1978 and joined the Gamma Knife Program in 2002. Kathleen shares, "I am honored to work with patients who are faced with the challenges of having a brain tumor. I receive tremendous satisfaction in knowing that we may extend their life and/or relieve the symptoms the tumor may be causing."
The members of neuro-oncology nursing team respond to patient inquiries; provide care management, support, education and referrals to community resources; and arrange pre-operative consultations and coordination of case presentations at the Neuro-oncology Case Conference. To speak with Kathleen Thomas, please call 949/764-5938.
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Diagnostics
Hoag Hospital has one of the leading neuroradiology programs in the world. Under the direction of Michael Brant-Zawadzki, M.D., F.A.C.R., Hoag’s state-of-the-art neurodiagnostic services provide patients with convenient access to a full spectrum of technologies that enable physicians to pinpoint the nature and extent of the disease, and the best treatment plan for each individual patient.
Hoag’s sophisticated imaging technology and expert radiologists provide an essential component of service. Detailed images of the tumor site, level of activity, contours and dimensions help physicians determine an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan.
Hoag offers the latest in minimally invasive technology that allows physicians to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the presence of cancer, and to stage its extent. Advanced imaging techniques at Hoag include:
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Treatment/Technology
Hoag Cancer Center’s expert medical team works together to determine the best course of treatment for each individual patient.
From leading-edge surgical options to the latest in radiation therapy technology and systemic therapy, Hoag’s comprehensive approach to malignant gliomas and brain metastases is unsurpassed.
Surgery
Surgery is a vital component of the successful treatment of malignant gliomas and many other brain tumors. Surgery may be timed either before or after the patient has been treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. The most modern surgical care is used including MRI- and CT-guided intraoperative navigation, functional brain mapping, awake craniotomy, motor strip mapping and other neurophysiologic monitoring. Hoag has a highly qualified staff of board certified neurosurgeons.
In 2007-2008, the highest volume Hoag neurosurgeons were Chris Duma, M.D. and Richard Kim, M.D., who performed surgery on a combined total of 125 newly diagnosed brain tumor patients with an operative mortality of less than two percent.
Radiation Oncology
Radiation therapy is an integral part of treatment for brain cancer. In some cases, radiation therapy is delivered before surgery to shrink a tumor to a more manageable size so that surgery will be more effective. In other situations, radiation therapy is used after surgery to provide added protection against the cancer returning.
With four board-certified radiation oncologists and three state-of-the-art linear accelerators, Hoag’s Radiation Oncology department offers the highest quality radiation therapy in Southern California. Hoag introduced the first stereotactic radiosurgery program in Orange County in 1993 and was the first to offer Gamma Knife therapy for brain tumors in 1997.
The entire first floor of the cancer center is dedicated to radiation oncology, where a highly specialized team of medical experts deliver the latest radiation therapy technology to patients. Radiation oncologists Brian Kim, M.D., and Peter Chen, M.D., specialize in the use of radiation therapy for the treatment of brain tumors.
In addition to standard external beam radiation therapy, Hoag employs the following advanced treatment technology for patients with brain tumors:
- Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: In December of 2007, Hoag replaced its existing Gamma Knife with the latest state-of-the-art Gamma Knife Perfexion. This unit offers the utmost in accuracy, delivers the least radiation to normal tissue of any radiosurgery tool available including Cyberknife and Novalis systems, and is backed by the longest international and national experience. It is considered the "treatment of choice" for all brain metastases of appropriate size, and is considered to be the most advanced treatment of primary malignancies in the brain.
- Tomotherapy
- Stereotactic Radiation Therapy
Hoag’s radiation oncology program offers a full spectrum of leading-edge radiation treatment options. For a complete list of radiation oncology services, please click here.
Systemic Therapy
Systemic therapy is an increasingly important component of care for patients with metastatic glioma, especially oligodendrogliomas and glioblastoma. At Hoag, chemotherapy is routinely used sequentially or concurrently with radiation therapy in most patients with advanced primary malignant brain tumors.
Hoag Cancer Center’s medical staff includes 35 board certified medical oncologists. In 2007, Medical Oncologist Minh Nguyen, M.D., joined Hoag’s medical staff. Dr. Nguyen has a specific interest in the subspecialty of medical neuro-oncology.
Treatment of Metastatic Disease
Many types of cancer can spread to the brain where they can be treated by surgery, radiation therapy, Gamma Knife and systemic therapy. Gamma Knife treatment has dramatically changed the ability to control such metastatic tumors, which has resulted in improved survival for patients.
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Multidisciplinary Neuro-Oncology Case Conferences
As part of Hoag’s multidisciplinary approach to brain tumors, the medical team conducts weekly brain tumor case conferences where experts from all disciplines gather together to review cases to ensure that the latest knowledge in cancer treatment is applied.
Hoag’s multidisciplinary Neuro-Oncology Case Conferences provide collaborative care planning for patients with brain tumors. This weekly case conference brings together a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, neuro-radiologists, pathologists, nurses and support staff. To request that your case be reviewed, please call Kathleen Thomas, R.N., B.S.N., at 949/764-5938.
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Clinical Trials
To learn more about Hoag Cancer Center’s Clinical Trials Department, please click here.
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Family and Friends Cancer Support Group
This support group provides a unique forum in which patients are able to share concerns and learn more about cancer and its treatment. Designed for cancer patients and their support persons, this group focuses on sharing information and mutual support. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Hoag Cancer Center Conference Room A. To view Hoag Cancer Center’s Monthly Events Calendar, please click here.
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Hereditary Cancer Assessment
It is estimated that up to 10 percent of all brain tumors, both malignant and benign, occur because of an inherited susceptibility. In contrast to other hereditary cancer conditions, those involving brain tumors/ brain cancer almost always involve more than a single tumor diagnosis. Conditions involving hereditary brain tumors include: Li Fraumeni syndrome, Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2, Cowden syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau and tuberous sclerosis.
Diagnosis of a hereditary cancer syndrome requires a careful review of the patient’s personal and family history. Hoag Cancer Center’s Hereditary Cancer Program offers genetic counseling and genetic testing for hereditary cancer. Click here to learn more about Hoag’s Hereditary Cancer Program.
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Cancer Education
To learn more about brain cancer, please visit the website of the National Cancer Institute.
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