Treatment

A diagnosis of brain or spine cancer can feel both scary and overwhelming. But at CHI Saint Joseph Health, we combine compassionate care with the most advanced technology available to help you fight the condition with confidence.

Each of our cancer centers across Kentucky is staffed by some of the region’s leading cancer specialists. Together, this dedicated team—which may include neuro and radiation oncologists, surgeons, highly trained nurses, therapists and more—will work with you to create the best possible treatment plan.

We focus on caring for the whole you—mind, body and spirit—and offer access to a full range of cancer support services to guide you throughout your journey.

Learn more about our treatment options below. To request a referral to one of our caring specialists, call 844.303.9355 or find a cancer expert online.

Types of Treatment We Offer

Treatment of brain and spine cancer depends on many factors, including your overall health and wellness, the stage of the cancer (early or advanced), location of the tumor and your personal feelings around certain treatments and possible side effects. Our goal is keep you feeling well throughout treatment without major changes to your usual routine.

Your personal treatment plan may include one or a combination of:

Radiation Oncology 

Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays to shrink or kill cancer cells. Radiation may also be used to help prevent recurrence of disease. These brief, painless treatments can be specifically directed at the part of the body where the cancer is located. Treatments are delivered by linear accelerators, where patients lie on a table in a specially designed room.

CHI Saint Joseph Health uses the most advanced technology available to target the tumor with extreme precision. Treatments include 3D conformal therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated radiation therapy (VMAT).  Image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and use of a hexapod table ensure treatments are focused directly on the target, while minimizing dose to surrounding healthy tissue.

Many patients will have a custom device created in order to help the head remain still during treatment.  These plastic ‘masks’ are painless, easily applied and removed, and tolerated even by patients with claustrophobia.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): SRS treatment involves delivering large radiation doses to small, precisely defined regions of the brain. Despite the name, no surgery is performed. The goal of this high dose radiation is to eradicate tumors without the need for traditional brain surgery.
Treatment can be administered in very few radiation sessions. These relatively quick treatments are painless, and are delivered in the office setting. SRS treatment uses the custom devices discussed above in order to ensure pinpoint accuracy.

Chemotherapy 

Chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cells with medicines delivered in varied cycles through either an IV or a pill. It may be used to shrink a tumor before surgery, to kill cancer cells that remain in the body after surgery or radiation or to treat tumors that have developed in other areas. Whenever possible, CHI Saint Joseph Health uses newer medications that help minimize the side effects of chemotherapy.