"I have no doubt that the
day will dawn when the
mystery of the mind is
no longer a mystery."
- Wilder Penfield
Canadian Neurosurgeon
The Mystery of the Mind
Neuro Oncology
An Overview
Oncology services are for patients who have been found to have tumors or blood cancer. For the nervous system, oncology refers to the treatment of tumors of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Uniquely among oncology treatments, neuro oncology frequently references the treatment of benign, as well as cancerous tumors; a number of benign nervous system tumors, while not cancerous, can require ongoing treatment.
Our Services
The principles of neuro oncology treatment include the provision of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The nervous system is unique in that it cannot be radiated diffusely; therefore, radiation treatments to the brain and spinal cord frequently have to be focused (this focusing is referred to as stereotactic radiosurgery.
All of the neurosurgeons at the Washington Neuroscience Institute are involved in neuro oncology treatment, as the beginning of neuro oncology treatment most frequently is surgical removal of a tumor. All of the neurosurgeons at the Washington Neuroscience Institute - Drs. Balousek, Kraemer, Schlitt, and Wright - have extensive experience in brain tumor resection, and more recently, in direct chemotherapy treatment by placing chemotherapy in the surgical area. Dr. Balousek heads up the Stereotactic Radiosurgery Section in the Neuroscience's Institute, and directly oversees all stereotactic radiosurgery. In addition, the neurosurgeons at the Washington Neuroscience Institute have a lengthy association with the oncologists of the Southlake Clinic (Drs. Britell, Cui, Hersman, and Ingber) for the provision of chemotherapy, and a lengthy relationship with the radiation oncologists (Dr. John Travaglini and Dr. Robert Douglas) to help provide the focused radiosurgery required for best possible treatment.
Inpatient Program Description
Because Valley Medical Center was part of the FDA trial of implanted chemotherapy, the Intensive Care and Neuroscience Unit nursing personnel have extensive experience with the pre- and postoperative treatment of patients with brain tumors. Multiple on-site neuroimaging devices, including MRI and CT scanning, enable instant reevaluation at any time that reevaluation is required. Valley's recently dedicated Epilepsy Center allows state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment of tumor-related seizure and epilepsy conditions.
Outpatient Program Description
Chemotherapy is performed in a joint venture facility provided by Southlake Clinic and Valley Medical Center, and is currently housed in Valley Professional Center North. Valley Medical Center's dedicated Radiation Oncology Unit, with facilities for stereotactic radiosurgery, is across from the brand-new front entrance of Valley Medical Center, and provides an underground, confidential access to the hospital if imaging is required during radiation therapy treatment.