Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

Our team uses the most sophisticated technology, procedures, and medical and radiation therapies available to treat complex cancers of the brain, head, neck, and central nervous system. The Brain Tumor Program strives to prolong and improve the quality of life for patients with every type of malignant brain tumor, including glioblastomas, gliomas, head and neck tumors, spinal tumors and metastatic tumors.

• Multidisciplinary team: Includes fellowship-trained specialists in neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, radiation oncology, neuroradiology, neuropathology, otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, neuro-ophthalmology and medical oncology. Patients have access to multiple specialists who work together to coordinate care, often in one visit.
• Advanced Technology: We utilize the latest treatment tools, including Gamma Knife Perfexion with Extend technology, which treats brain tumors previously believed inoperable, without an incision.
• Tumor Board: The Brain Tumor Board is held weekly on Thursday afternoons. The board delivers recommendations for diagnosis and treatment, but also performs screening for potential enrollment in clinical trials. Medical specialists from around the region are encouraged to present challenging cases at Brain Tumor Board by calling Sheila Hall, BSN, at 706-446-5190.
• Compassionate Care: Our clinical practice is patient- and family-centered. Dedicated resources have been allocated to offer the strongest support for our brain tumor patients and their families. A nurse navigator helps the patients through the different steps of their therapy and during the healing phase of their recovery period.

• Neuro-oncology Clinic: A joint clinic with neurosurgery and neuro-oncology that focuses on brain and spine tumors of all types (see Tumors We Treat, below). Also available are visits for second opinions about treatment plans for patients who live a distance away.
• Teleneuro-oncology: For patients who live far away from Augusta University Medical Center, we offer virtual visits that can include ongoing management or treatment advice. These appointments are scheduled the same as in-person appointments.
• Complex Brain Metastasis Clinic: A multidisciplinary clinic for patients with complicated issues involving spread of other cancers to the brain and spine.
• Skull Base Tumors: Surgical specialists in neurosurgery and head and neck surgery have special interest and expertise in skull base tumors, including vestibular schwannoma, meningioma, chordoma, craniopharyngioma, and others.
• Pituitary Tumors: Our neurosurgeons are skilled in removing pituitary tumor, typically with an approach through the nose. Neuroendocrinology and neuro-oncology expertise is available, as is specialized radiation oncology treatments, when required.
• Neurofibromatosis Clinic: This is a subspecialty clinic for patients age 18 years and older who have neurofibromatosis type 1 or type 2. We believe that these patients require care in a clinic with special expertise in these hereditary disorders. Patient with tuberous sclerosis complex and Von Hipple Lindau syndrome are also seen in the clinic.

Clinical Trials

We conduct innovative clinical trials using prescription medicine approaches and immunotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent brain tumors. Please contact the center at 706-446-5190 for current studies.

A partial list of the tumors treated at the Brain Tumor Program includes:

• Glioma: glioblastoma, astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthroastrocytoma, ganglioglioma, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma
• Meningioma: all types.
• Brain metastasis: metastases from any type of primary tumor outside the brain.
• Leptomeningeal metastasis: spread of cancer into the spinal fluid.
• Spinal metastasis: spread of cancer to the vertebral column or rarely the spinal cord itself.
• Pituitary region tumors: pituitary adenoma and other more rare forms of sellar region tumors such as craniopharyngioma.
• Skull base tumors: Vestibular schwannoma and other schwannomas, meningioma, chordoma, chondrosarcoma.

Brain Cancer Symptoms

Symptoms of brain cancer vary depending on the size and location of the tumor, but may include:

• Frequent headaches
• Fatigue
• Numbness in the arms or legs
• Speech and coordination issues
• Visual problems
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unexplained seizures

• Neuro-oncology for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and precision medicine treatments
• Management of related issues such as seizures and medications
• Neurosurgical biopsy for diagnosis
• Neurosurgical resection for treatment
• Radiation oncology for standard radiation treatments
• Radiation oncology and neurosurgery for radiosurgery treatments, including Gamma Knife

We are committed to seeing each patient as soon as possible, often with 1 to 2 days or even the same day, in urgent situations.

Request an Appointment

For patients, or a patient's family member, please call Sheila Hall, BSN, nurse navigator, at 706-446-5190.

Referrals

For patient referrals from physicians, call 706-446-5190, or fill out a referral form.

Prepare for Your Appointment

For your first appointment, please bring your:

• Medical History Form
• Picture ID and insurance information