MedicineNet

Brain Cancer Center - Pittsfield, MA

Pittsfield Oncologist Doctors for Brain Cancer

Type of Physician: Oncologist

What is a Oncologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; the oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer and other benign and malignant tumors. These subspecialists decide on and administer chemotherapy as well as consult with surgeons and radiotherapists on other treatment for cancer.

Specialty: Oncology (Medical)

Common Name: Cancer Doctor

Oncologist Doctors in Pittsfield *

Northampton Internal Medicine
Deborah E Smith
190 Nonotuck St
STE 105
Florence, MA 01062
(413) 584-9511

Robert Byrne MD
Robert Byrne
1221 Main St
C Horan Medical Bldg STE 208
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 538-9694

Drs Murray & Glynn MD PC
Philip T Glynn
1777 Dwight St
Springfield, MA 01107
(413) 732-4478

Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-10
Taste Of The Valley Jazzy. 5k
West Springfield, Massachusetts
2012-06-16
Tawasentha Mud Mania 2
Guilderland, New York
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Albany
Throughout Albany, New York
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Troy
Throughout Troy, New York
2012-07-22
2012 Harlem Valley Rail Ride
Millerton, New York
2012-09-09
Women's Triathlon
Farmington, Connecticut
2012-10-07
2012-10-14
Bike the River Valley 2012
Annandale-on-Hudon, New York

Brain Cancer

What is brain cancer?

Brain cancer is a disease of the brain in which cancer cells (malignant) arise in the brain tissue. Cancer cells grow to form a mass of cancer tissue (tumor) that interferes with brain functions such as muscle control, sensation, memory, and other normal body functions. Tumors composed of cancer cells are called malignant tumors, and those composed of noncancerous cells are called benign tumors. Cancer cells that develop from brain tissue are called primary brain tumors while tumors that spread from other body sites to the brain are termed metastatic brain tumors. Statistics suggest that brain cancer occurs infrequently and is likely to develop in about 22,000 new people per year in 2009, with about 13,000 deaths as estimated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Not all brain tumors are alike, even if they arise from the same type of brain tissue. Tumors are assigned a grade depending on how the cells in the tumor appear microscopically. The grade also provides insight as to the cell's growth rate. NCI lists the following grades:

  • Grade I: The tissue is benign. The cells look nearly like normal brain cells, and they grow slowly.
  • Grade II: The tissue is malignant. The cells look less like normal cells than do the cells in a grade I tumor.
  • Grade III: The malignant tissue has cells that look very different from normal cells. The abnormal cells are actively growing (anaplastic).
  • Grade IV: The malignant tissue has cells that look most abnormal and tend to grow quickly.

The most common primary brain tumors are usually named for the brain tissue type from which they originally developed. These are gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, vestibular schwannomas, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors (medulloblastomas). Gliomas have several subtypes which include astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, and choroid plexus ...

Recommended Reading Related to Brain Cancer

CT Scan (Computerized Tomography) »

CT scan facts

  • CT scanning adds X-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views of anatomy.
  • CT scanning can identify normal and abnormal structures and be used to guide procedures.
  • CT scanning is painless.
  • Iodine-containing contrast material is sometimes used in CT scanning. Patients with a history of allergy to iodine or contrast materials should notify their physicians and radiology staff.

What is a CT scan?

Computerized (or computed) tomography, and often formerly referred to as computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, is an X-ray procedure that combines many X-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views and, if needed, three-dimensional images of the internal organs and structures of the body. Computerized tomography is more commonly known by its abbreviated names, CT ...

Emergency Contact for Pittsfield

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Pittsfield Hospitals *

Berkshire Medical Center
725 North St
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413)447-2000

BMC Hillcrest Campus
165 Tor Ct
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413)443-4761

Austen Riggs Center
25 Main St
Stockbridge, MA 01262
(413)298-5511

Fairview Hospital
29 Lewis Ave
Great Barrington, MA 01230
(413)528-0790

North Adams Regional Hospital
71 Hospital Ave
North Adams, MA 01247
(413)664-5000

Samaritan Hospital
2215 Burdett Ave
Troy, NY 12180
(518)271-3300

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
100 Hospital Dr
Bennington, VT 05201
(802)442-6361

Albany Memorial Hospital
600 Northern Blvd
Albany, NY 12204
(518)471-3221

St Mary's Hospital Troy
1300 Massachusetts Ave
Troy, NY 12180
(518)268-5000

Northampton VA Medical Center
421 N Main St
Leeds, MA 01053
(413)584-4040

Stratton VA Medical Center at Albany
113 Holland Ave
Albany, NY 12208
(518)626-5000

Albany Medical Center
43 New Scotland Ave
Albany, NY 12208
(518)262-3125

Albany Medical Center South Clinical Campus
25 Hacket Blvd
Albany, NY 12208
(518)262-1200

Capital District Psychiatric Center
75 New Scotland Ave
Albany, NY 12208
(518)447-9611

Columbia Memorial Hospital
71 Prospect Ave
Hudson, NY 12534
(518)828-7601

St Peter's Hospital
315 S Manning Blvd
Albany, NY 12208
(518)525-1550

Cooley Dickinson Hospital
30 Locust St
Northampton, MA 01060
(413)582-2000

Noble Hospital
115 W Silver St
Westfield, MA 01086
(413)568-2811

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.