Brain and Spine Tumor Treatments
Our comprehensive brain cancer programs and specialized teams offer advanced brain and spine tumor treatments based on the latest medical research, as well as opportunities to participate in studies of promising new therapies in one of the nation’s leading centers for brain tumor clinical trials. We have three locations so you can access quality care close to home: John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center and JFK University Medical Center.The Brain Tumor Treatment and Rehabilitation Center at JFK University Medical Center in Edison, N.J. is one of the only hospitals in the Northeast to provide brain and spinal tumor diagnosis, management, recovery, and physical rehabilitation services under one roof. Jersey Shore University Medical Center is the only hospital in the network that has received the Healthgrades Neurosciences Excellence Award for three consecutive years. Both Jersey Shore University Medical Center and JFK University Medical Center were recognized for Neuroscience Excellence in 2022. Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center also received the Healthgrades Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award.
Brain Tumor Diagnosis
We use advanced imaging technologies and tumor genomics that aren’t available at many hospitals, enabling us to precisely locate and identify tumors and provide treatments that are tailored to the biology of your disease.
Some of our diagnostic services include:
- 3T MRI enables precision in diagnosis by our board-certified neuro-radiologists.
- Functional and Diffusion Tensor MRI Imaging helps us map specific brain areas before surgery.
- PET Imaging helps distinguish between tumor and non-cancerous processes to avoid unnecessary treatment.
Virtual Reality Imaging
JFK University Medical Center is the first and only hospital in New Jersey to integrate a virtual reality medical visualization platform into neurosurgery care. This approach helps you and your surgeon prepare for your procedure before any incisions being made, providing information on what to expect when the actual procedure takes place. Using this technology has proven to significantly reduce the time a patient is in surgery.Neurological Rehabilitation
Our expert physical, occupational and speech therapists work closely with your entire care team to reduce negative side effects and help patients return to their normal activities as soon as possible. Learn more about neurological rehabilitation.Brain Tumor Treatment
Quality of life is an important consideration in our treatment approach. Each patient’s recommended treatment plan is dictated by a wide range of variables, including tumor type, location, the patient’s age and neurological condition, and other existing medical conditions.Chemotherapy
Our scientists study every tumor after surgery to identify genetic mutations and other changes underpinning growth and use this information to create a personalized treatment plan that specifically targets your tumor.Radiation Therapy
3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy can customize radiation to fit the exact shape of the brain tumor and avoid or reduce exposure of healthy tissue.
Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography (4DCT) captures the exact location of a brain tumor and identifies anatomical complications or obstructions prior to surgery.
Gamma Knife® Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is a noninvasive, same-day procedure to treat malignant and benign tumors of the brain and other parts of the head and is considered the most focused treatment in the world.
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) delivers precise radiation to brain tumors while minimizing the dose to surrounding healthy tissue.
Magnetic Resonance (MR)-Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy is a minimally invasive neurosurgical technique used to treat intracranial lesions and brain tumors.
Neurophysiological Mapping helps neurosurgeons pinpoint which tumor tissue can be safely removed by stimulating those parts of the brain during surgery, and operating around functional areas once they are identified.
Proton Therapy delivers radiation over a shorter range than traditional forms of radiation, reducing the amount of radiation delivered to nearby healthy tissues.
TrueBeam™ Linear Accelerator is an advanced image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) system that accurately targets brain tumors while avoiding healthy tissues and organs.
Our Brain Tumor Research and Clinical Trials
We have the largest clinical research team in New Jersey and rank among the top 10 in clinical trials in the U.S. for primary brain tumors. More than 80% of our patients with primary brain tumors participate in clinical trials of cutting edge therapies.- Early-phase clinical trials: We have our own program of Phase I clinical trials, offering opportunities to receive novel therapies being evaluated for the first time in patients.
- National collaboration: Hackensack University Medical Center is a main member institution in ALLIANCE, a collaborative of the National Cancer Institute, and collaborates with investigators at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center on translational “bench-to-bedside” research to speed promising findings of laboratory studies to clinical trials.
Our Brain Tumor Treatment Keeps Getting Better
Innovation
John Theurer Cancer Center was the first location in New Jersey to offer stereotactic radiosurgery for inoperable brain tumors and other brain lesions. Annually the neurosurgeons at Hackensack University Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center and JFK University Medical Center complete over 100 brain and spine tumor operations.
Quality
John Theurer Cancer Center is New Jersey’s only comprehensive neuro-oncology center affiliated with a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, with 80% of our patients with primary brain tumors participating in clinical trials - 50 times higher than the national average.
Excellence
Our accolades include: “High Performing” recognition and Joint Commission certification for excellence in brain tumor care (Hackensack University Medical Center), Healthgrades Neurosciences Excellence Award (Jersey Shore University Medical Center), Neuroscience Excellence in 2022 (JSUMC, JFK University Medical Center), and the Healthgrades Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award (JSUMC).
Patient Experience
Our fellowship-trained medical and surgical neuro-oncologists are among a small group of physicians nationwide with advanced training in this highly specialized area of medicine. This enables you to receive the highest level of expertise and access the most advanced treatment options.
Patient Story
“They detected my brain tumors at an early stage and were able to treat them immediately using Gamma Knife radiosurgery, which doesn’t involve cutting into the brain. I walked out of the hospital the same day, straight to the parking lot. I even would have driven home, but my wife insisted on driving.” - Roy Meyers, Woodbridge Township, N.J.
Our Doctors
Our physicians are experts in diseases and disorders of the nervous system, pioneering advancements in brain, spine, neck and peripheral nerve care. Our internationally recognized multidisciplinary team of specialists is assembled from around the country - a distinctive strength that enables us to determine effective strategies to detect, diagnose and treat tumors.
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Neurological and Neurosurgical Services
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- Brain and Spine Tumor Treatments
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