Inspiring Patient Stories & Important News
A Return to Normal Life After Successful Skull Base Tumor Treatment
Six months after undergoing highly specialized surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma – Erika Dewling has a message for others.
The Basics of Skull Base Brain Tumors
Fabio Frisoli, MD, Director of Skull Base Neurosurgery at the Gerald J. Glasser Brain Tumor Center, shares what patients and caregivers need to know.
New Vaccine Prolongs Life for Glioblastoma Patients
A major phase III clinical trial has found that DCVax®-L, a dendritic cell brain tumor vaccine, can prolong the lives of patients diagnosed with new or recurrent glioblastomas.
Changing the Paradigm for the Treatment of Metastatic Lung Cancer in the Brain
Survival for patients with brain metastases from lung cancer is increasing – thanks to advancements in immunotherapy and personalized medications that target specific gene mutations, penetrate into the brain and have a high likelihood of success.
Preventive Chemotherapy Slashes the Risk of Lymphoma Spreading to the Central Nervous System
Certain lymphomas tend to enter the central nervous system and reach the brain. For high-risk patients, taking a novel and proactive approach to chemotherapy can reduce the likelihood of developing brain metastases by approximately 90%.
Breast Cancer and the Brain: Staying on Top of Neurologic Symptoms Is Key
With new advances in breast cancer care, patients are living longer than ever before with a higher incidence of brain metastases.
“SURVIVE” Phase 2B
The Glasser Brain Tumor Center is active in many clinical trials in our ongoing quest to enhance our patients’ lives. While all of the trials are inspiring, one of the most exciting is “SURVIVE” Phase 2B. We are the only site in New Jersey and one of the first three in the nation to participate in this trial for a potentially game-changing brain cancer vaccine.
Next-Generation Sequencing: The Key to Next-Level Brain Tumor Treatment
Next-generation sequencing – similar to a search engine that combs through thousands of genes to find abnormalities in the single one that causes a patient’s cancer – is revolutionizing brain cancer care. An intimate understanding of a tumor’s mutations, or lack thereof, means more personalized and effective treatment plans.
Living with Brian Cancer: Attitude is Everything
At 43, Lindsay Vieira was diagnosed with an anaplastic oligodendroglioma, a rare type of cancerous brain tumor. The Glasser Brain Tumor Center team used stereotactic imaging and GPS-like technology – along with electrical stimulation brain mapping – to remove her entire tumor and keep all of her neurological functions intact.
Technology That Is Transforming Brain Surgery
When Lisa Vidal was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, she did something novel among most brain tumor patients. She drank a pink liquid that made her tumor glow, empowering our neurosurgeons to safely remove her tumor with pinpoint accuracy.
Tumor Treating Fields Noninvasively Destroy Cancer Cells
Tumor treating fields – electric fields that disrupt the electrical charge in the protein that causes cancer cell division – are revolutionizing the treatment of glioblastomas. Neuro-oncologist Nicholas Metrus, MD, describes a new wearable, portable, FDA-approved treatment that creates TTF, interfering with dividing tumor cells and causing them to die.
Immunotherapy in Action: Changing the Game for Cancer Survival
Years ago, having brain metastases meant a patient would likely have a grim prognosis. Now with immunotherapy and targeted therapy, the game has changed for a number of diseases. Medical oncologist Andrew M. Bernstein, DO, explains.
Zeroing in on Druggable Targets for Metastatic Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer to metastasize to the brain. Thankfully, targeted therapies are driving major advances in treatment and improving life expectancy from a number of months to a number of years. Oncologist and director of the Breast Cancer Treatment and Prevention Program at Overlook Medical Center Bonni Lee Guerin, MD, shares the latest.
The Impact of Immuno-Oncology on Melanoma Brain Metastases
New immuno-oncology drugs have drastically improved survival rates for patients with metastatic melanoma. This includes combination immunotherapy drugs that yield a 50% response rate for patients with melanoma brain metastases, which is why immuno-oncology treatment is typically the best first course of action.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery Is on the Rise: Why a Growing Population of Patients with Brain Metastases Are Candidates for CyberKnife®
CyberKnife has completely changed the way metastatic brain tumors are treated by administering radiation only where it’s needed – and not where it’s not. Not only is CyberKnife a highly effective therapy for the treatment of brain metastases, its precision spares healthy brain tissue from radiation exposure and the neurocognitive damage it can cause.
Beating Metastatic Brain Cancer with Surgery and CyberKnife
“You are disease-free in the brain.” Hearing these words nearly a year after discovering kidney cancer had spread to his brain brought 56-year-old Edward Battaglia to tears. This triumph was his latest victory in a cancer journey that spans more than a decade.
Dr. John J. Knightly, Dr. Yaron A. Moshel, Dr. Michael E. Rudman and Dr. Richard P. Winne, Jr. Named 2021 Jersey Choice Top Doctors
In its annual Top Docs listing, New Jersey Monthly has named Altair Health’s Dr. John J. Knightly, Dr. Yaron A. Moshel, Dr. Michael E. Rudman and Dr. Richard P. Winne, Jr. 2021 Jersey Choice Top Doctors.
Fluorescent imaging is Lighting the Way
The Gerald J. Glasser Brain Tumor Center is one of the first providers in New Jersey to harness the power of fluorescent imaging to treat brain tumors.
Neurosurgery Saved Me From Going Blind
Basil Figliano, an electrician from Bridgewater, New Jersey, had perfect vision his entire life. In fact, he went for his first ophthalmologist appointment at the age of 56. Over the next few months, Basil felt his vision getting drastically worse.
South Plainfield Woman Says ‘Thank You Isn’t Enough’ After Removal of Complex Brain Tumor
For most people, occasional ringing or popping in the ear isn’t cause for concern. When it becomes persistent, however, Laura Castro Angarita of South Plainfield, New Jersey will tell you that’s a different story.
