Because of the tendency of many brain tumors to recur, the resistance of some brain cancers to treatment, and the possible side effects of these cancers and their therapies, long-term follow-up examinations are always advised.
Following surgery, an MRI scan is performed to determine the extent of tumor removal and to help plan further treatment. Repeat MRI scans are also done on an ongoing basis after radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Frequent physical examinations are given to detect tumor recurrence or side effects of treatment. It is important to report any new symptoms, such as headache, to your doctor right away, because they may indicate cancer recurrence or side effects of treatment. Brain cancers rarely spread outside the central nervous system.
Cranial radiotherapy, particularly when combined with some chemotherapeutic agents, can cause memory loss and difficulty walking. Because these complications of treatment may not show up for some time after therapy, Memorial Sloan-Kettering physicians continue to follow patients for years or even decades. To thoroughly assess patients who could develop this form of late brain toxicity, we have a trained neuropsychologist who is expert at testing and helping to guide treatment for this complication.
Rehabilitation Therapy
Physical rehabilitation is an important part of the care Memorial Sloan-Kettering provides to patients with brain and spinal cord cancer. Our expert team of physical and occupational therapists works closely with the medical team to decrease the burden of disease on patients and their families.
Video
Physical therapist Sebi Varghese talks about the methods she and her team use to help cancer patients restore range of motion and reduce pain.
(2:00)
Brain tumors can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the location of the cancer. Brain tumors can result in weakness, loss of balance, general confusion and speech problems, and loss of vision. Patients may find it difficult to perform complex tasks or make decisions. They may feel a loss of short- and long-term memory and have difficulty expressing themselves.
Regardless of the symptoms of the tumor and the type of medical treatment patients undergo, Memorial Sloan-Kettering's rehabilitation team aims to improve patients' function and enhance their quality of life.
Following surgery our rehabilitation team evaluates patients to determine the best course of action to improve their function and enhance their quality of life. To achieve these goals, we educate patients and their families on specific mobility precautions and provide the therapeutic exercises, cognitive training, and energy conservation techniques that each patient will benefit from most. We also provide patients who need them with assistive devices such as a cane or walker, and instruct them in exercises to improve balance, strength, and endurance.
To learn more about the role of rehabilitation services in the care of cancer patients, visit the Rehabilitation section of our Web site.
Other Support Services
In addition to rehabilitation therapy, Memorial Sloan-Kettering offers a wide range of support services for patients, including the following:
Living Beyond Cancer
Video
Brain cancer survivor Bob Kosinski discusses the difficulty of adjusting to permanent visual impairment caused by his tumor.
(5:00)
People facing the challenges of cancer survivorship can access a variety of support services through the Living Beyond Cancer section of our Web site. This section includes information about professionally led support groups and counseling; survivorship clinics to manage late effects of cancer and treatment; recommendations about screening and healthy living; and specialized services to address sexual and reproductive health. We also offer a range of resources to help survivors, families, and friends better understand the complex emotional and social issues following treatment.
Additional services are offered through our Resources for Life After Cancer program, which provides a full range of educational support services, including individual and family counseling, periodic lectures or workshops to provide medical updates, and practical guidance on employment and insurance issues.
Brain Tumor Support Group
To help address the unique needs of patients with brain tumors, our Resources for Life After Cancer program offers a support group for patients and their families on a monthly basis. The support group is run by the nurses in neurology and neurosurgery along with our social workers. This is the only brain tumor-specific support group in New York City and one of the few in the country. If you are interested in attending, all upcoming meetings are listed on the Living Beyond Cancer calendar.
Integrative Medicine Service
Our Integrative Medicine Service is designed to enhance cancer patients' quality of life through healing regimens that address the body, mind, and spirit. Beneficial complementary therapies include various types of massage, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, meditation, visualization and other mind-body therapies, music therapy, and nutritional counseling, as well as classes such as yoga, t'ai chi, and chair aerobics.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Counseling Center
Our Counseling Center offers individual and family counseling sessions to help patients and their families address the problems that they may encounter in adjusting to life during and after treatment.
Help for Older Patients
A diagnosis of cancer is difficult at any age, but older patients face unique challenges. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is committed to providing cancer patients aged 65 and older with the treatment, facilities, and support they need.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering offers the services of a multidisciplinary geriatric team, which includes physicians, clinical nurse specialists, social workers, nutritionists, and psychiatrists, as well as members of the Pain and Palliative Care Department and the Integrative Medicine Service. The programs and care the team provides focus on the needs of elderly cancer patients.
For more information about our services for older patients as well as for their family and friends, visit the Help for Older Patients section of our Web site.
Access Information Through our Patient Portal
Memorial Sloan-Kettering offers a secure Web site — called MYMSKCC — for patients to access personalized information about their care. If you enroll to use MYMSKCC, you can view, confirm, and keep track of appointments; access over 300 lab results; make changes to contact and insurance information; communicate with your healthcare team and other staff using secure electronic messages; and pay bills and view balances. Learn more about MYMSKCC.
To enroll in MYMSKCC, please ask a session assistant in clinic or contact your physician's office.
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