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March 16, 2016

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...

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February 15, 2016

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...

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February 8, 2016

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...

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January 21, 2016

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...

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December 7, 2015

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...

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December 3, 2015

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. *   *   *   *   *...

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November 13, 2015

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...

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November 12, 2015

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....

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November 10, 2015

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...

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October 30, 2015

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