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Brain Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign CyberKnife Center of Chicago outlines what you need to know about the difference between malignant versus benign brain tumors. 177 East Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst IL 60126 331-221-2050 ChicagoCK.com

Brain Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign

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Brain tumors are masses of abnormal cells in the brain. Learn about the difference between malignant (cancerous) and benign (noncancerous) brain tumors. CyberKnife Center of Chicago opened in August 2009 as a service of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. The center is part of the hospital’s radiation oncology department, which is accredited by the American College of Radiology. Visit chicagock.com or call 331-221-2050 for more information.

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Page 1: Brain Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign

Brain Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign

CyberKnife Center of Chicago outlines what you need to know about the difference between malignant versus benign brain tumors.

177 East Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst IL 60126 331-221-2050 ChicagoCK.com

Page 2: Brain Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign

Please note: We encourage consumers to thoroughly review and understand all treatment options. The information presented here is not all-inclusive. Rather, it represents a starting point to learn more about medical conditions and treatment options. This is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from your professional healthcare provider.  Contact your professional healthcare provider to find out if CyberKnife treatment is right for you.

Data source: American Cancer Society.

177 East Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst IL 60126 331-221-2050 ChicagoCK.com

Page 3: Brain Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign

Brain Tumors Overview Brain tumors are masses of abnormal cells in the brain. Although brain tumors rarely spread to other parts of the body, most of them can spread through the brain tissue.

Tumors that start in the brain (primary brain tumors) are not the same as tumors that start in other areas of the body and then spread to the brain (metastatic or secondary brain tumors). In adults, metastatic tumors to the brain are actually more common than primary brain tumors.

The main concerns with brain and spinal cord tumors are how readily they spread through the rest of the brain or spinal cord and whether they can be removed and not come back.

The general symptoms caused by a brain tumor depend on where the tumor is. Symptoms may include:

¤  Headaches, seizures or balance problems

¤  Trouble speaking ¤  A change of mood such as

depression ¤  A change in personality ¤  Weakness, stiffness or paralysis in

part of the body ¤  Changes in vision, hearing, or

other senses ¤  Tremors or involuntary

movements

177 East Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst IL 60126 331-221-2050 ChicagoCK.com

Page 4: Brain Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign

Benign (Non-Cancerous) Brain Tumors

In most other parts of the body, benign tumors do not grow into nearby tissues or spread to distant areas, so in other parts of the body they are almost never life threatening. However benign brain tumors can, as they grow, press on and destroy normal brain tissue, causing damage that is often disabling and sometimes fatal.

Benign brain tumors include:

¤  meningioma

¤  acoustic neuroma

¤  pituitary adenoma

¤  craniopharyngioma.

177 East Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst IL 60126 331-221-2050 ChicagoCK.com

Page 5: Brain Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign

Malignant (Cancerous) Brain Tumors

One of the main reasons malignant tumors are so dangerous is because they have a propensity to grow. Typical malignant brain tumors include glioblastoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, primary CNS lymphoma and medulloblastoma. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for brain and spinal cord tumors in the United States for 2014 include both adults and children:

¤  About 23,380 malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord (12,820 in males and 10,560 in females) will be diagnosed.

¤  Overall, the chance that a person will develop a malignant tumor of the brain or spinal cord in his or her lifetime is less than 1% (about 1 in 140 for a man and 1 in 180 for a woman).

177 East Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst IL 60126 331-221-2050 ChicagoCK.com

Page 6: Brain Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign

Brain Tumor Treatment Options

Treatment is based on the type of tumor and other factors, and sometimes more than one type of treatment is used. Doctors plan each person’s treatment individually to give them the best chance of treating the cancer while limiting the side effects as much as possible.

¤   Surgery

¤  Stereotactic Radiosurgery (CyberKnife® or GammaKnife®)

¤  Radiation Therapy

¤  Chemotherapy

¤  Targeted Therapy

177 East Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst IL 60126 331-221-2050 ChicagoCK.com

Page 7: Brain Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign

Brain Tumors + CyberKnife® Treatment

CyberKnife has the ability to treat acoustic neuromas, brain metastases, gliomas, meningiomas and pituitary adenomas with stereotactic radiosurgery.

Unlike some radiosurgery systems, the CyberKnife doesn’t need an invasive head frame. Other radiosurgery systems are capable of high-dose radiation treatment with a variety of radiation sources. However, some use a metal frame attached to the patient’s skull with screws that immobilize the head to accurately target the tumor.

Typically, treatment is completed in one session but could take up to five sessions depending on the individual diagnosis.

Treatment procedures take about 30 – 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the tumors.

177 East Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst IL 60126 331-221-2050 ChicagoCK.com

Page 8: Brain Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign

Our Center CyberKnife Center of Chicago opened in August 2009 as a service of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. Our center is a part of the new Center for Cancer Care at Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare, offering hope to patients in the Chicago suburbs and beyond.

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, contact CyberKnife Center of Chicago to schedule a consultation with our physicians to determine the next best step for your treatment needs.

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Medical Director: Dr. Andy W. Su CyberKnife Nurse: Griselle Romero, RN

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177 East Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst IL 60126 331-221-2050 ChicagoCK.com