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Brain Cancer Center - Visalia, CA

Visalia 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 Visalia *

Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center
Richard Ng
6501 Truxtun Ave
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 322-2206

Visalia, California

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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 Visalia

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Visalia Hospitals *

Kaweah Delta Medical Center Health District
400 W Mineral King Ave
Visalia, CA 93291
(559)624-2000

Kaweah Delta Rehabilitation Hospital
840 S Akers St
Visalia, CA 93277
(559)624-3700

Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital
1100 S Akers St
Visalia, CA 93277
(559)624-3300

Tulare Regional Medical Center
869 N Cherry St
Tulare, CA 93274
(559)688-0821

Kingsburg Medical Center
1200 Smith St
Kingsburg, CA 93631
(559)897-5841

Central Valley General Hospital
1025 N Douty St
Hanford, CA 93230
(559)583-2100

Hanford Community Medical Center
450 N Greenfield Ave
Hanford, CA 93230
(559)582-9000

Sierra Kings District Hospital
372 W Cypress Ave
Reedley, CA 93654
(559)638-8155

Corcoran District Hospital
1310 Hanna Ave
Corcoran, CA 93212
(559)992-5051

Selma Community Hospital
1141 Rose Ave
Selma, CA 93662
(559)891-1000

Sierra View District Hospital
465 W Putnam Ave
Porterville, CA 93257
(559)784-1110

Porterville Developmental Center
26501 Ave 140
Porterville, CA 93258
(559)782-2222

Naval Hospital Lemoore
937 Franklin Ave
Lemoore, CA 93246
(559)998-4481

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