The staff at Mission's Neurosciences Institute have developed a range of treatments that provide patients access to the latest in minimally invasive techniques, along with the full range of surgical and radiation options you would expect at a major medical center.
CyberKnife®Radiosurgery is the most advanced form of non-invasive radiation treatment to date. CyberKnife Radiosurgery may be used as an alternative or in addition to open surgery.
It is a painless procedure with uncommon accuracy due to the unique combination of its image guidance system and multi-jointed robotic arm. CyberKnife Radiosurgery has the ability to compensate for patient movement during treatment, eliminating the need for stereotactic framing while achieving submillimeter accuracy.
Stealth neuronavigational systems use computer technology to convert MRI and CT images into three-dimensional images. It links these images with the surgeon's probe. This lets the surgeon know exactly where he or she is during surgery, improving precision and minimizing disturbance to healthy tissue. The Stealth technology is used in both brain and spine surgery, where extreme precision is required. It is especially helpful in surgery for infants and children.
The Stealth technology is generally found at academic medical centers. The Mission Neurosciences Institute's two stealth neuronavigational units are among the busiest programs in the nation.
Interventional Neuroradiology combines the latest imaging technology with minimally invasive techniques. It can be used in two ways to treat tumors of the brain and spine:
- Intra-arterial chemotherapy. Drugs can be delivered directly to the site of the tumor through a small catheter, thus concentrating their power and minimizing the exposure of healthy tissue. Another drug is given through a vein to neutralize the chemotherapy drug before it circulates to the entire body. Many of the symptoms associated with chemotherapy, such as nausea and loss of hair, can be decreased when this method of treatment is used.
- Tumor embolization. Brain and spine tumors can sometimes be shrunk by depriving them of their blood circulation. This is done by inserting tiny beads of a harmless material directly into the artery supplying the tumor. As the material is swept "downstream" it builds up where the artery narrows, shutting off circulation. A few days later, surgery can more easily be performed to remove the tumor, because it is smaller and weaker.
Laser surgery uses high intensity carbon dioxide (CO2) and Yag lasers to precisely outline and destroy tumors without damage to surrounding tissue.
Stereotactic radiosurgery uses computer guided, high intensity radiation to concentrate high-energy treatment on smaller brain and spine tumors, often completing treatment in just one session. One patient said she had received, "brain surgery on my lunch hour." This approach avoids most of the side effects of radiation therapy. It can be used both to achieve a full cure and to provide quick, effective palliative therapy to reduce pain and other symptoms.
Patients being treated for brain tumors are cared for in the area of the hospital that best meets their needs. Immediately after surgery they may go to the neurotrauma intensive care unit. From there they may progress to the Neurosciences Unit, or in some cases, to the Mission Oncology Unit. Some patients may be involved in the clinical trials available through Mission.
