Gamma Knife | Pituitary Tumors | Rehab | Support

Brain Tumors

At Hoag we offer the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating malignant and benign brain tumors. Many of our treatment options are available at only a few select hospitals across the country.

Sophisticated Neuroimaging techniques are used to provide neurosurgeons with a detailed visual map of the brain. This helps the team plan the surgery in advance and limit the surgical area. During surgery, intraoperative navigational equipment further assists in identifying the parts of the brain critical for motor, sensory, speech, visual and memory functions. These two technologies combined mean neurosurgeons can remove more tumor with less impact to the patient.

Minimally Invasive Techniques

Whenever possible, Hoag neurosurgeons employ minimally invasive brain surgery (MIBS) techniques, including image-guided tumor resection, neuroendoscopy and stereotactic interventions. Our specialists have access to some of the most advanced technology available to assist in MIBS, including biomedical electronics, sophisticated neuronavigation systems, computers, videos, neuroendoscopic equipment and microsurgical tools. MIBS has helped reduce deaths and complications previously associated with complex neurosurgery, while increasing the accuracy of tumor removal and allowing for faster recovery with less trauma and emotional stress. Minimally invasive neurosurgery has helped reduce complications and increase the accuracy of tumor resection, allowing for faster recovery, with less trauma and emotional stress.

Endoscopic Neurosurgery

For the removal of pituitary tumors, Hoag neurosurgeons specialize in minimally invasive endoscopic neurosurgery, as opposed to the traditional, invasive approach. In this complex procedure, an endoscope is placed through the nose, instead of making an incision through the gum. The scope is carefully maneuvered to the back of the sinus cavity where there is an natural opening that provides access to the pituitary gland. This technique provides superior visualization of the operative site, while offering patients a much more comfortable procedure with significantly less risk for complications.

Treating the Leading Edge

The use of Multivoxel MR-Spectroscopy to locate the leading edge, or growing parts of the tumor, represents a major advantage for brain tumor patients. Prior to this, it was impossible to detect where the tumor would or might spread. Now neurosurgeons can remove or radiate beyond the local tumor volume to include the potential malignant tumor path, the most dangerous aspect of a tumor.

Hoag/UCI Gamma Knife Center

Hoag/UCI Gamma Knife Center is Orange County’s premiere facility dedicated to non-invasive brain surgery. It is one of only a handful of centers in the country and is under the direction of one of the most experienced stereotactic radiosurgeons in the world. The Gamma Knife can be an excellent tool to treat a wide variety of brain tumors, including:

Surgically inaccessible lesions
Recurrent tumors
Adult and pediatric tumors
Acoustic neuromas
Brain metastases
Malignant gliomas
Benign tumors

Support, Education and Outreach

The Hoag/UCI Gamma Knife Center offers patients outstanding education and support via our nurse coordinator, a certified neuro nurse. For adult patients and family members dealing with a brain tumor diagnosis and treatment, Hoag also offers a unique support group.

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