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PATIENT STORY: Seeing Clearly After Pituitary Adenoma Surgery
by Sharmyn McGraw
There is a pea-sized structure at the base of the brain called the pituitary gland. It doesn’t look like much and it could be easy to overlook, but don’t underestimate the power of the pituitary gland. Small, yet mighty, this “master endocrine gland” is part of the...
Adapting to a Chronic Condition
by Sharmyn McGraw
by Guest Writer Dr. Patti Johnson It takes Two – You and Your Support Team A chronic condition is one that persists over time without an easily definable beginning, middle and end. After being diagnosed with a chronic condition, such as some types of brain...
Risk Factors: Why did I get a Brain Tumor?
by Zara Jethani
Unfortunately there is no clear answer to this question. At this time, seeking out top neurosurgeons and high quality neuro-oncological care is the only way we have of dealing of brain, pituitary and skull base tumors. Looking at risk factors can give us some insight but nothing...
PATIENT STORY: A Tale of Two Cushing’s Surgeries
by Zara Jethani
Rae lives on a 9000 acre ranch in Northern California, is a wife, a mother of four teenagers and is in remission after the removal of pituitary tumors which caused her to develop Cushing’s Disease. Rae grew up as an Army brat and went to 22 countries before she was 20 years old. She says, “It...
Brain Cancer Research: Stepping Stones to Brain Cancer Cure
by Zara Jethani
In August, former president, Jimmy Carter, was diagnosed with advanced melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer that spread to his liver and was found in four spots in his brain. He is being treated at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Center in Atlanta with focused...
PATIENT STORY: My Pituitary Surgery was Truly a Team Approach
by Sharmyn McGraw
Gerald, a retired Neurologist, from Hawaii, developed a recurrent pituitary adenoma in December 2014. His success and experience with the Pacific Brain Tumor Center and Pituitary Disorders Program team have allowed him to go home back to his active lifestyle. * * * * *...
I Have a Brain Tumor. Now What? Ways to Handle a Diagnosis. (Part 2 of 2)
by Sharmyn McGraw
There are many effective treatment opinions nowadays for brain tumors and brain cancers. Sometimes staying focused on the right treatment plan for you or your loved one may involve a change of treatment plans periodically. It is normal to feel anxiety and experience the signs...
I Have a Brain Tumor. Now What? Ways to Handle a Diagnosis. (Part 1 of 2)
by Sharmyn McGraw
One of the most difficult things to hear at your doctor’s visit is that you or someone you love has a brain tumor and/or brain cancer. It is normal to feel a whole range of emotions – disbelief, denial, shock, depression, sadness, resignation, anger and more....
Clinical Trials: Yes or No?
by Annie Heng
Clinical trials are research studies that play a critical role in the advancement of clinical and medical knowledge about disease. Data gathered throughout a trial provides valuable insight into how to detect, prevent or treat an illness. Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend...
New Computational Strategy Finds Brain Tumor-Shrinking Molecules
by Zara Jethani
Computer modeling identifies first-ever molecule to inhibit a transient cellular event that drives glioblastoma, and the molecule shrinks glioblastoma in mice. The optimal treatment for most gliomas is maximal surgical removal followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. However, patients with glioblastoma, a type of malignant...
Last updated: May 3rd, 2022