The Brain Tumor Program offers the expertise of a highly-skilled multidisciplinary team who specialize in
treating patients with benign and malignant brain and spinal cord tumors.
The Brain Tumor Program offers the expertise of a highly-skilled multidisciplinary team who specialize in
treating patients with benign and malignant brain and spinal cord tumors.
Our Approach
Georgia Cancer Center Brain Tumor Program
Our team uses sophisticated technology, procedures, and cancer therapies to treat
complex brain, head, neck, and central nervous system cancers. The Brain Tumor Program strives to prolong and improve quality of life for patients with all types of malignant
brain tumors, including glioblastomas, gliomas, head and neck tumors, spinal tumors,
and metastatic tumors.
- Multidisciplinary teams: Our program includes fellowship-trained specialists in neurosurgery, neuro-oncology,
radiation oncology, neuroradiology, neuropathology, otolaryngology, head and neck
surgery, neuro-ophthalmology and medical oncology. These specialists work together
to coordinate care, often seeing patients on the same day, so they don't have to make
multiple trips.
- Advanced technology: We utilize the latest treatment tools, including Gamma Knife Perfexion with Extend
technology to treat brain tumors previously believed inoperable, without an incision.
- Tumor board: The brain tumor board gets together 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 our nurse navigator
- Compassionate care: Our clinical practice is patient- and family-centered. Dedicated resources are available
to provide support to patients and their families. A nurse navigator guides patients
through all the steps of treatment and throughout the healing phase of their recovery.
Services
- Neuro-oncology Clinic: A joint clinic with neurosurgery and neuro-oncology that focuses on brain and spine
tumors of all types (see cancers we treat). Also available are visits for second opinions about treatment plans for patients
who live a distance away.
- Brain Tumor Resource Guide: Download the comprehensive guide which outlines all the steps of your treatment
and care at Georgia Cancer Center.
- 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.
-
Paraganglioma/Pheochromocytoma Clinic: The Paraganglioma/Pheochromocytoma Clinic (PGG-PCC) at Augusta University Health and
Medical College of Georgia brings together a multidisciplinary team of specialists
to help patients who have been diagnosed with tumors of the autonomic nervous system
or who are concerned about the possibility of this diagnosis based on imaging, laboratory
findings, genetic test results, or family history.
- VHL Clinical Care Center: Von Hippel Lindau syndrome (VHL) is a rare hereditary cancer disorder in which tumors
arise in the cerebellum, skull base, spinal cord, and kidneys, as well as other less
common sites in the body. Diagnosis and management of patients with VHL is best conducted
in a dedicated clinical center, such as the one based at the Georgia Cancer Center.
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.
Brain Cancers We Treat
A partial list of the tumors treated at the Brain Tumor Program includes:
- Glioma: glioblastoma, astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytoma,
pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, 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.
Complete list of cancers we treat
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
Treatments
- 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
Patient Information
We are committed to seeing each patient as soon as possible, often with 1 to 2 days
(even the same day) in urgent situations.
Everything you need to know about the Brain Tumor Program at Georgia Cancer Center.
Request an Appointment
For patients or a patient's family member, please contact:
Sheila Hall, BSN - Nurse navigator
706-446-5190.
Referrals
For physicians wanting to refer a patient, call us:
706-446-5190, or fill out a referral form.
Prepare for Your Appointment
For your first appointment, please bring your:
