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Brain Cancer Center - Westfield, MA

Westfield 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 Westfield *

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

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

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

Westfield, Massachusetts

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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 Westfield

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Westfield Hospitals *

Western Massachusetts Hospital
91 E Mountain Rd
Westfield, MA 01085
(413)562-4131

Baystate Medical Center
759 Chestnut St
Springfield, MA 01199
(413)794-0000

Mercy Medical Center
271 Carew St
Springfield, MA 01104
(413)748-9000

Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital
233 Carew St
Springfield, MA 01104
(413)748-9000

Shriners Hospital for Children
516 Carew St
Springfield, MA 01104
(413)787-2000

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

Providence Hospital
1233 Main St
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413)536-5111

Kindred Hospital Park View
1400 State St
Springfield, MA 01109
(413)787-6700

Holyoke Medical Center
575 Beech St
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413)534-2500

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts
14 Chestnut Pl
Ludlow, MA 01056
(413)589-7581

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

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

Wing Memorial Hospital & Medical Center
40 Wright St
Palmer, MA 01069
(413)283-7651

Johnson Memorial Hospital
201 Chestnut Hill Rd
Stafford Springs, CT 06076
(860)684-4251

Rockville General Hospital
31 Union St
Vernon Rockville, CT 06066
(860)872-5100

St Francis Care Hospital Mount Sinai Campus
500 Blue Hills Ave
Hartford, CT 06112
(860)714-4000

The Hospital at Hebrew Healthcare
1 Abrahms Blvd
W Hartford, CT 06117
(860)523-3800

Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital
490 Blue Hills Ave
Hartford, CT 06112
(860)714-3500

St Francis Hospital & Medical Center
114 Woodland St
Hartford, CT 06105
(860)714-4000

Manchester Memorial Hospital
71 Haynes St
Manchester, CT 06040
(860)646-1222

Baystate Mary Lane Hospital
85 South St
Ware, MA 01082
(413)967-6211

Hungerford Emergency & Medical Care
115 Spencer St
Winsted, CT 06098
(860)738-6650

Connecticut Children's Medical Center
282 Washington St
Hartford, CT 06106
(860)545-9000

Hartford Hospital
80 Seymour St
Hartford, CT 06102
(860)545-5000

Institute of Living Hartford Hospital
200 Retreat Ave
Hartford, CT 06106
(800)673-2411

University of Connecticut Health Center John Dempsey
263 Farmington Ave
Farmington, CT 06030
(860)679-2000

VA Connecticut Healthcare System Newington Campus
555 Willard Ave
Newington, CT 06111
(860)666-6951

Cedarcrest Hospital
525 Russell Rd
Newington, CT 06111
(860)666-4613

Hospital for Special Care
2150 Corbin Ave
New Britain, CT 06053
(860)827-1958

The Hospital of Central Connecticut New Britain Campus
100 Grand St
New Britain, CT 06052
(860)224-5011

Veterans Home & Hospital Rocky Hill
287 West St
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
(860)529-2571

Harrington Memorial Hospital
100 South St
Southbridge, MA 01550
(508)765-9771

Charlotte Hungerford Hospital
540 Litchfield St
Torrington, CT 06790
(860)496-6666

Bristol Hospital
41 Brewster Rd
Bristol, CT 06010
(860)585-3000

Franklin Medical Center
164 High St
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413)773-0211

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