Brain and spine cancer care in Jacksonville

Oncology and cancer specialists at Ascension St. Vincent’s Cancer Care deliver compassionate, personalized care for all types of brain tumors and spinal cancers.

Brain and spine cancer care in Jacksonville

Cancer specialists at Ascension St. Vincent’s deliver compassionate, personalized care for brain and spine cancer

  • CALL - 904-308-7879 — CANCER CARE NAVIGATOR

Experienced brain and spine cancer specialists, close to home

At Ascension St. Vincent’s Cancer Care in Jacksonville, Florida, our brain and spine cancer specialists collaborate with physicians across a national network to share best practices and advanced treatment options for brain, spinal and other central nervous system tumors.

Comprehensive brain and spine cancer in Jacksonville

Your multidisciplinary team includes board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroradiologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, along with oncology nurses, dietitians and other specialists. Together, they create a personalized treatment plan based on your diagnosis and needs.

Your care may include imaging, lab tests, pharmacy support, physical therapy and other specialty services. A cancer care navigator helps coordinate appointments and connects you with resources and support from diagnosis through survivorship. 

Types of brain and spinal cancers

Your doctors and care team at Ascension St. Vincent’s deliver a customized care plan for your cancer. We treat many types of brain and spine cancer, including:

  • Astrocytoma
  • Benign tumors
    • Glioma
    • Colloid cyst
  • Brain metastases (cancer that has spread to the brain from a different part of the body)
  • Ependymoma
  • Malignant tumors
    • Glioblastoma (a sub-type of astrocytomas)
  • Medulloblastoma (common in children)
  • Metastatic spine tumors (most common overall)
  • Pituitary tumors
  • Schwannoma
  • Skull base tumors
  • Spinal tumors

Our brain and spine specialists also provide care for meningioma and other rare conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord.

How we diagnose brain and spine cancer

Cancer specialists who know you and your condition review your treatment and progress. Your care team focuses on identifying whether the tumor is noninvasive or invasive, determining where the tumor began and whether the cancer has spread. We use advanced molecular and genetic testing to help guide treatment planning. To diagnose brain and spine cancer, your doctor may recommend testing, such as:

Advanced imaging procedures help your doctor diagnose all types of brain disease, including primary brain cancer and secondary brain cancer (cancers that spread to the brain from another part of the body, also called metastatic cancers).

Biopsy tests analyze brain tissue and spinal fluid to confirm the presence of cancer cells.

Blood tests can give your doctor a lot of information. They can detect whether certain elements in your blood are in a normal range, and can help confirm or rule out certain conditions.

If you have a higher risk or family history of cancer, your doctor may recommend genetic screening, testing or counseling.

A neurological exam, also called a neuro exam, is an evaluation of your nervous system that can be done in your provider's office to check your reflexes, coordination and cognitive response.

How we treat brain and spine cancer at Ascension St. Vincent’s

Your treatment options for brain and spine cancer may include medication, therapy or surgery.

Chemotherapy (often shortened to chemo) is a drug-based treatment used to slow the growth of or shrink tumors. Chemo can be given through an IV or taken in pill form, and be given before or after surgery, or along with radiation therapy.

Cancer research and clinical trials can give you access to new treatments, often before they become widely available. Talk to your doctor to learn whether cancer clinical trials are the right option for you.

Endovascular neurosurgery is practiced by a neurosurgeon or neuroradiologist whose specialty trained in neurointerventional surgery. The word endovascular means inside a blood vessel. This type of surgery, also known as interventional neuroradiology, is done with thin tubes (catheters) and small tools and is performed instead of surgery that requires a larger incision. The surgeon often uses radiology images at the same time to see the parts of the body being treated.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a noninvasive treatment option for certain brain tumors, often used as an alternative to traditional brain surgery. During this outpatient procedure, gamma radiation beams are delivered to small areas within the brain. This targeted radiation therapy helps focus the beams to reduce exposure of healthy tissue. Because it’s noninvasive, you may experience less scarring and a shorter recovery time.

Radiosurgery and advanced radiation therapies are used to target and destroy cancer cells while limiting exposure to healthy tissue.

Your cancer care team provides support, from nutrition education and counseling to cancer support groups and spiritual care. At Ascension St. Vincent’s sites of care, our healing gardens and chapels are always open to patients and their loved ones. We offer supportive care and activities for the whole you. For more information, call 904-308-7546.

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that boosts your body’s immune system to help it recognize and attack cancer cells. It uses substances that are either made in the body or in a lab to shrink tumors or slow tumor growth.

Benefits of our approach to brain and spine cancer care

Cancer specialists who know you and your condition review your treatment and progress. They work together to customize your overall care plan, to support your physical well-being and mental and emotional health.

Ascension St. Vincent’s Cancer Care offers comprehensive brain cancer care, including:

  • Diagnostic tests: Biopsy tests are used to evaluate brain cells and spinal fluid for cancer cells. Advanced imaging procedures help your doctor diagnose all types of brain disease, including primary brain cancer and secondary brain cancer (cancer that has spread to the brain from another part of the body).
  • Neurosurgeons: Experienced surgeons specializing in brain and spine care deliver advanced surgical and minimally invasive care with an enhanced recovery process to remove both cancerous and noncancerous brain tumors and lesions, and spinal cancer.
  • Medical oncology: Medical oncologists work with your surgeon to deliver advanced care (chemotherapy and targeted immunotherapy) to help stop cancer spread.
  • Radiation oncology: Radiosurgery and advanced radiation therapy is used to target and destroy cancer cells while avoiding damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.
  • Clinical trials: If you want to learn more about other possible cancer care options, talk to your doctor. You may want to ask whether cancer clinical trials are the right option for you.
  • Genetic counseling and testing: If you are high-risk or have a family history of cancer, we may recommend cancer genetic screening, testing and counseling to help you and your doctor better understand your risk for developing cancer.
  • Speech-language pathologists: Speech therapists deliver personalized therapies to help stimulate speech pathways as needed after surgery.
  • Support programs and resources: Your cancer care team provides support, from nutrition education and counseling to cancer support groups and spiritual care. And, at Ascension St. Vincent’s sites of care, our healing gardens and chapels are always open to patients and your loved ones. We offer supportive care and activities for the whole you.  For more information, please call 904-308-7546.

 

Get a second opinion

Get the confidence and peace of mind that your doctor and care plan are right for you. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension St. Vincent’s. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options.

When you’ve received a new cancer diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our brain and spine cancer specialists can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national team.

Before your appointment, check with your health insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.

GET A SECOND OPINION

This service requires a referral

Please call us at 904-308-7879 to learn how to get a referral. If you are a provider referring a patient, call 904-308-7879.

Ascension St. Vincent's Riverside Hospital
1 Shircliff Way
Jacksonville,  FL  32204

Ascension St. Vincent's Southside Hospital
4201 Belfort Road
Jacksonville,  FL  32216

Ascension St. Vincent's Clay County Hospital
1670 St. Vincents Way
Middleburg,  FL  32068

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.

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