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One of the first concerns most people have when they find out they need to have surgery or a major medical treatment of any kind is whether or not their insurance will pick up the bill and how difficult it will be to find a doctor to provide the needed treatment. Footing any major medical expense without insurance can be
There is sometimes confusion surrounding the differences between Gamma Knife Radiosurgery and radiation therapy. This is understandable, as it’s true that both use therapeutic forms of radiation. However, the ways in which the radiation is delivered and the concentrations in which they are given are much different. Luckily, what separates the two treatments is fairly broad. This post will explore
The Valley Hospital is pleased to be one of the first hospitals in the United States to offer the Leksell Gamma Knife Icon — noninvasive, radiosurgical technology for the treatment of benign and malignant brain tumors and neurological conditions in the brain. The Gamma Knife Icon enables Valley’s neuro-oncology team to treat virtually any location in the brain with ultrahigh
If you have been diagnosed with a brain metastasis (cancer that has spread to the brain), you are likely weighing your treatment options. Several effective treatments are available, including whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) and Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery. But which is the best radiation therapy for you? Asking your doctor the following questions may help you decide which brain metastases
For many, a diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia is a welcome first step toward ending powerful facial pain symptoms that affect a patient’s everyday life. The next step: treating trigeminal neuralgia. Here are some of the treatment options you may consider to treat your facial pain: Medications can relieve symptoms and block the pain signals that travel from the nerve to
If you have been diagnosed with brain metastases (cancer that has spread to the brain), you’ve likely heard about several possible treatment options for your condition, including Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, whole-brain radiation and others. It’s important to choose the treatment that can give you the best possible outcome with the least number of side effects. Here’s what you can expect
When cancer has spread to the brain from another part of the body (known as brain metastases), sparing the healthy areas of the brain from radiation side effects is just as important to patients as finding the right treatment. Luckily, patients who choose Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery don’t have to choose between treating their tumors and maintaining optimal brain function.
Friday, October 7, is International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day, a day to recognize those living with trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic condition marked by intense facial pain that can have debilitating effects on a person’s health and quality of life. Often, trigeminal neuralgia develops when the trigeminal nerve (which sends sensations from the face to the brain) is compressed by a
If you have trigeminal neuralgia, you may have been prescribed medications to reduce or block the facial pain you experience. Trigeminal neuralgia medications may include anticonvulsants, muscle relaxers or even Botox injections. However, for some patients, these medications can lose their effectiveness over time. If that’s the case for you or a loved one, Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery may help
When cancer spreads to the brain — a condition known as a brain metastasis — patients have different treatment options. Recent research has suggested that Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery is an effective primary treatment for brain metastases, with its focus on fast, precise treatment, and ability to treat multiple tumors. The Valley Gamma Knife Center’s Perfexion unit — among the
Healthcare professionals: Don’t miss “Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: The Future of Radiosurgery,” presented by The Valley Hospital Gamma Knife Center, on Wednesday, October 12 at The Brick House in Wyckoff. Learn more about the benefits of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for conditions like trigeminal neuralgia, brain metastases and more, and meet Gamma Knife Center physicians including Co-Director Anthony D’Ambrosio, M.D., neurological oncologist
When you’re diagnosed with a serious condition like a metastatic brain tumor, the last thing you want is side effects of treatment that can further impair your health and quality of life. When Kathlene Laurel was diagnosed with a brain metastasis, the specialists at The Valley Hospital Gamma Knife Center worked with her to develop a treatment plan that kept
Imagine going from perfectly healthy one day to fighting a brain tumor the next. That frightening scenario became a reality for Steve Murphy after he unexpectedly suffered a seizure while on a business trip. Steve was diagnosed with a meningioma, a noncancerous brain tumor that develops from tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. It was an anxious and uncertain
For many years, whole-brain radiation was a mainstay in treating brain cancer metastases — when cancer from another area of the body, such as lung cancer, breast cancer or melanoma, spreads to the brain. Because the long-term survival rates were generally poor, the long-lasting treatment side effects of whole-brain radiation, like memory loss, lack of coordination and loss of urinary
In April, we reported that by the end of 2016, more than 1 million patients will have received Gamma Knife treatment for brain tumors and neurological conditions since the technology’s inception. Last month, Gamma Knife’s manufacturer announced at the 18th International Leksell Gamma Knife Society Meeting in Amsterdam that the milestone has been met, noting that Gamma Knife is the
If you’ve been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) you have likely experienced the symptoms that are associated with it. Most people with multiple sclerosis suffer from pain, whether neuropathic, musculoskeletal or both, which can range from mild to debilitating. While headaches, arm and leg pain, and back pain are common with MS, facial nerve pain caused by a chronic condition
CBS 2 recently reported on the positive patient outcomes and multiple uses for Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery. The report also notes that Gamma Knife technology is preferred over Cyberknife for brain tumors. Gamma Knife radiosurgery can be used for benign and malignant brain tumors, as well as trigeminal neuralgia, acoustic neuromas and other conditions. Contact our Nurse Navigator for more
How much do you know about brain tumors? In recognition of Brain Tumor Awareness Month, here are some brain tumor facts, courtesy of the National Brain Tumor Society: Nearly 7,000 people in the United States are living with a primary brain tumor. More than 69,000 people will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor this year. Approximately 20-40% of all
The Valley Hospital Gamma Knife Center is pleased to welcome Radiation Oncologist Thomas Kole, M.D., Ph.D., to the gamma knife staff. Dr. Kole comes to Valley from Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., where he served as an attending radiation oncologist. At the Gamma Knife Center, Dr. Kole is looking forward to using Gamma Knife Radiosurgery to treat patients who
2016 Marks 1 Million Gamma Knife Patients Treated In 1987, Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery was introduced in the United States, marking a powerful new weapon in the fight against brain tumors. Nearly 30 years later, the groundbreaking treatment is reaching a significant milestone: By the end of the year, more than 1 million patients will have received Gamma Knife treatment
