Saint Francis Hospital: Advanced Brain Tumor Treatments Driving Results

Every year, around 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with a brain tumor. It can be an emotional and overwhelming time for patients and their families, coupled with fear of what may lie ahead in terms of surgery, treatment, and recovery.

Nevertheless, advancements in treatment offer hope.

At Saint Francis Hospital, brain tumor patients have access to an expert team and some of the most advanced treatments available, including access to research from Yale University. Read on to learn more about how Saint Francis Hospital brain tumor patients are cared for and treated.

Treating Brain Tumors With State of the Art Innovations

At Saint Francis Hospital, patients benefit from access to some of the newest tools and cancer surgery technologies available today in the fight against cancer. This New England hospital offers a non-invasive, groundbreaking tool called CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery. This is a more accurate way to pinpoint radiation so that it has less impact on surrounding healthy tissue.

Saint Francis Hospital also has tools like SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy) and SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery). SBRT is a high-precision radiation therapy that is used on tumors outside of the brain and spine area. SRS is Stereotactic Radiosurgery, which can be used as a precise, high-dose method of radiation on the brain or spine.

Advanced Brain Treatment Options at Saint Francis

Technology is only one aspect of the advanced treatments available at Saint Francis Hospital. The expert team here uses a personalized and multidisciplinary care model for all brain tumor patients.

Each patient's medical cases are reviewed by a specialist team, which includes medical and radiation oncologists as well as neurosurgeons.

The treatment plans are always tailored to the type and location of the tumor and the patient's specific needs. The hospital also has partnerships with Yale University, bringing with it emerging therapies and groundbreaking research. Patients at Saint Francis can feel at ease that they have a top team working with the most current understanding of tumor treatment.

How Modern Techniques Help to Manage Neurosurgery Risks

One of the first questions tumor patients often ask is about the risks of neurosurgery. At Saint Francis Hospital, using modern techniques is crucial because it can help reduce the chances of complications and speed up recovery time.

Surgeons can opt for cutting-edge, minimally invasive approaches. This includes computer-aided navigation and imaging to allow for the most precise surgery, reducing the risk of trauma to nearby healthy brain structures and tissue. Surgeons also use intraoperative monitoring, which tracks neurological function, for a safety-first approach.

Emerging radiotherapy technology, which offers better precision, has also meant that some patients may not need to undergo surgery, helping to reduce risks further and improve patient outcomes.

How Cancer Surgery Is Changing Lives at Saint Francis Hospital

Brain tumor treatments at Saint Francis are life-changing interventions for patients, and having access to a highly skilled and compassionate team backed by research and advanced tools means tumor patients are in the best possible care.

It's not only during the treatment that patients will notice the difference. Getting access to the latest brain tumor treatment and care also helps patients enjoy a faster recovery and fewer side effects.

That's crucial for patients' well-being and ensuring they can return to daily routines and resume life as normal. Lower-risk treatments and surgeries mean fewer patients facing issues related to cognitive and physical function, meaning a better quality of life after treatment.

Saint Francis Hospital: A Caring and Healing Environment for Patients

Having a supportive, compassionate, and healing environment is crucial after brain tumor treatment and surgery. The medical excellence at Saint Francis extends to their patient-centered care after surgery, with a holistic approach that emphasizes comfort, emotional support, and clear communication from healthcare professionals.

There are also counselors and support staff there to help with more targeted emotional support, something that can help reduce anxiety levels for patients after a tumor diagnosis.

Patients also benefit from vital services like rehabilitation and pain management. Furthermore, they encourage family members to get involved in the rehabilitation process so that the physical and emotional healing can continue once the patient returns home.

What to Expect Throughout the Process

You can expect personalized attention and support from Saint Francis Hospital at every step of the journey, and they take a team-based, collaborative approach to patient care.

You'll meet your care team at your first consultation, including an oncologist, nurse coordinator, radiation therapist, and other crucial team members. You'll be assigned a dedicated care coordinator, a first point of contact when you need help with appointments or medical questions.

Throughout the treatment, you'll have regular check-ins with your oncologist and nursing team to see how things are going. Post-treatment follows the same approach, with follow-up care to check how things are progressing with your recovery.

Patient-Centered Care That Supports Your Lifestyle

It's important to remember that, even when undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, life continues, and there are priorities for patients that exist beyond the medical appointments at the hospital.

The care team can offer advice and support about how to continue with your life around your treatment, maintain independence, and spend time with your family. They can also provide practical advice about when and how to return to work.

This patient-centered approach means teams can work with you to select therapies and treatments that offer reduced recovery time. This focus on your well-being is one of the reasons patients at Saint Francis Hospital feel protected and heard throughout the process.

The Saint Francis Hospital Brain Tumor Team: Compassionate, Expert Care

Any brain tumor diagnosis can bring worry, but with ever-evolving medicine, there is hope. The Saint Francis Hospital brain tumor care team offers state-of-the-art care from a professional and experienced team. They can support you through every stage of the process.

Emotional support throughout your treatment plan is crucial.

Reach out to the Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance (CTBTA). We were founded by survivors and caregivers with a mission to provide community support and guidance for those with a brain tumor diagnosis. Visit our resources page to learn more about how we can support you.