Brain Tumor
Multidisciplinary Approach
As part of Orange County’s leading health system, Hoag offers a unique multi-modality diagnostic and treatment program for patients suffering from benign and malignant brain tumors. The combined comprehensive resources available at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute and Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute deliver a best practice, integrated care setting, with access to the latest clinical trials. Each specific type of tumor is addressed with the particular patient’s situation in mind.
Our multidisciplinary team of brain tumor specialists is committed to providing the most effective and advanced diagnostic imaging studies (including the only PET/MRI instrument in Orange County), 3D-guided surgical techniques which can be planned with simulation through virtual reality prior to surgery, options for clinical research trials, and management strategies for each patient.
Experience Matters
Experience, combined with advanced clinical trials and technology, including two dedicated operating rooms equipped with the newest tools available anywhere is what sets our brain tumor program apart. The Hoag team offers a depth of experience not easily matched. And while many hospitals offer open craniotomy stereo-tactic radiosurgery and conventional chemo, our clinicians specialize not only in surgical brain tumor management, but Gamma Knife, conformal focused radiation therapy, as well as advanced chemo and immunotherapy, and are therefore uniquely equipped to approach each case with an unbiased opinion regarding treatment modality.
1st Leader in Gamma Knife Surgery
Hoag offers revolutionary Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, the most well-studied and published technique for Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS).
Patient Stories
Gain hope and insight as you read the personal accounts from people who’ve been on a journey similar to yours. Perhaps you’ll have a story of your own that will one day inspire others.
Brain Tumor Overview
VR Medical Visualization Innovation
Hoag is one of only a few hospitals in the nation to use the Precision Virtual Reality® medical visualization platform by Surgical Theater. The platform combines flight-simulation technology with medical imaging scans to create a 360-degree virtual reality reconstruction of a patient’s scan that allows neurosurgeons to rehearse their approach prior to surgery.
Meet the Team
Our expert clinicians specialize not only in surgical brain tumor management, but also Gamma Knife, Cyberknife, conformal focused radiation therapy, as well as advanced chemo and immunotherapy, allowing them to approach each case without bias as to treatment method.
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Christopher M. Duma, M.D. Neurosurgery, Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Program Director Brain Tumor Program
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Robert G. Louis Jr, M.D. Program Director, Skull Base and Pituitary Tumor Program
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Vivek A. Mehta, MD Neurosurgeon, Chief of Service, Hemorrhagic Stroke and Epilepsy Neurosurgical Services
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Jose A. Carrillo, MD Neuro-Oncologist, Medical Oncologist
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Santosh Kesari, MD Neuroscientist and Neuro-Oncologist
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Minh D. Nguyen, M.D. Medical Oncologist
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Peter V. Chen, M.D. Radiation Oncologist
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Brian S. Kim, M.D. Radiation Oncologist
We are here for you
Everyone needs help at different times in life, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your care team at Hoag. We’ll help find fast answers to your questions before, during, and after your treatment.