Understanding brain tumors
It is estimated that more than 200,000 new cases of brain metastases occur in the United States each year. Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and breast cancer, are responsible for more than half of all cases of brain metastases. When this happens, the disease is not brain cancer. The tumor in the brain is a secondary or metastatic tumor. Primary (true) brain tumors occur more frequently in children and are located in the posterior cranial fossa.
Targeted radiation delivery
Treatment for brain tumors depends on where the cancer started and the extent of the disease. Dr. Amendola has extensive experience in radiosurgery using GammaKnife, Cyberknife and linear accelerator based technology such as Varian’s Trilogy® Stereotactic radiosurgery system. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), a non-invasive procedure, is an excellent treatment modality for selected patients with brain tumors. This procedure targets the tumors achieving high rates of local control as shown in multiple studies using single fractionation on an outpatient basis. Whether treating primary or secondary disease our approach to providing care is always patient centered. Plans are designed to selectively target the tumor based on the specifics of your unique situation to ensure optimal results.
For more information on the techniques employed for the treatment of brain cancer click on the links provided below.
- Three-dimensional 3-D conformal radiation therapy
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
- RapidArc™
- GammaKnife
- CyberKnife