Brain and Spine Cancers
As the only comprehensive neuro-oncology center in New Jersey, our Brain Tumor Program is led by fellowship-trained neuro-oncologists, among just 280 specialists nationwide. This expert team provides the highest level of care and the latest, most advanced treatment options for brain and spine cancers, all without the stress of traveling to major cities like New York or Philadelphia.
Quality of life remains a cornerstone of our approach throughout treatment. Our specialists are dedicated to guiding you and your loved ones through this complex journey, ensuring your needs and preferences always come first.
Treating brain and spine cancer is just one aspect of care at the Hackensack Meridian Health Brain Tumor Program. We also offer a wide range of services, including support groups and nurse navigators who help coordinate your personalized treatment journey.
Brain Tumor Treatment Options
We use cutting-edge imaging technologies, not widely available at most hospitals, to precisely locate and identify tumors. These tools enable us to match patients with treatments tailored to the specific biology of their disease.
Our multidisciplinary team collaborates to create a customized care plan that fits each patient’s unique needs. This team of experts includes specialists in neurosurgery, neuroradiology, radiation oncology, critical care and many more advanced medical fields. We also have an integrated and wide-ranging set of support services to help guide patients through treatment. By combining the latest breakthroughs in technology, research, and treatment, we ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Our program includes comprehensive inpatient and outpatient neuro-rehabilitation services designed to restore function and mobility. Expert physical, occupational, and speech therapists work with the care team to help patients regain quality of life as quickly as possible.
We were the first in New Jersey to integrate virtual reality medical visualization into neurosurgery care. Surgeons use this advanced technology to prepare for operations in a virtual environment, giving them an unparalleled view of the patient's anatomy before any incisions are made.
Our Brain Tumor Treatment Keeps Getting Better
Caring for brain tumors requires a team of specialists from various medical fields. Our brain cancer program offers customized treatment options for both primary and metastatic brain tumors, as well as care for the neurological complications that can arise from cancer.
We aim to offer hope and new options. Here are some reasons why our program is the right choice for you:
Led by fellowship-trained neuro-oncologists, our team is among the most highly specialized in the country.
Our neurosurgery program at Hackensack University Medical Center is ranked as a high-performing program by U.S. News and World Report.
We were the first in New Jersey to offer stereotactic radiosurgery for inoperable brain tumors, using the latest Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion® system.
Advanced Diagnostic Services
Our advanced diagnostic tools include:
3T MRI enables accurate differentiation between benign and malignant brain conditions.
Functional and Diffusion Tensor Imaging helps map out critical brain functions in relation to tumors, improving surgical planning.
MR Spectroscopy assists in distinguishing between tumor and non-tumor lesions.
PET Imaging helps further identify tumor tissues for targeted treatment.
Chemotherapy
Our center uses personalized chemotherapy treatments by studying the genetic mutations of your tumor. We analyze the molecular signals driving your cancer's growth and use that information to match you with the most effective targeted therapies. This approach ensures you receive treatment that is precisely tailored to the biology of your brain or spine cancer, offering the best chance of success.
Patient Stories
Radiation Therapy
We offer a wide range of advanced radiation therapy options, designed to target tumors with accuracy while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue:
CyberKnife® is a non-invasive, robotic radiosurgery system that targets difficult-to-reach or inoperable tumors with pinpoint accuracy, without incisions.
Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography (4DCT) captures highly detailed images of the tumor and its movement, allowing for precise radiation targeting.
Gamma Knife uses multiple beams of radiation with pinpoint precision to destroy brain tumors without the need for open surgery.
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): Allows for higher doses of radiation to be delivered to the tumor while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.
TrueBeam™ Linear Accelerator: Provides image-guided radiation therapy with unparalleled speed and accuracy, minimizing the risk to healthy tissues and organs.
Surgery
Our neuro-oncology team utilizes the latest surgical technologies to safely and effectively treat brain and spine tumors:
MR-Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy: This minimally invasive procedure uses a thermal probe to destroy tumor tissue under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance.
Neurophysiological Mapping: During surgery, neurosurgeons stimulate areas of the brain to pinpoint which tumor tissue can be safely removed, ensuring critical functions are preserved.
Real-Time MR Imaging: Allows surgeons to monitor the tumor during surgery, ensuring the maximum amount of tumor is removed while preserving healthy tissue.
