New Jersey CyberKnife at the J. Phillip Citta Regional Cancer Center treats patients with a nonsurgical method called stereotactic radiosurgery. Learn more about the treatment process by calling (732) 557-3120 to find out if CyberKnife® treatment is right for you.

1. Brain Tumors: Malignant vs. Benign
New Jersey CyberKnife outlines what you need to know about
the difference between malignant versus benign brain tumors.
99 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 732-557-3120 NewJerseyCK.com

2. Please note: We encourage consumers to thoroughly review and understand
all treatment options. The information presented here is not all-inclusive.
Rather, it represents a starting point to learn more about medical conditions
and treatment options. This is not intended as a substitute for medical advice
from your professional healthcare provider. Contact your professional
healthcare provider to find out if CyberKnife® treatment is right for you.
Data source: American Cancer Society.
99 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 732-557-3120 NewJerseyCK.com

3. Brain Tumors Overview
Brain tumors are masses of abnormal cells in
the brain. Although brain tumors rarely
spread to other parts of the body, most of
them can spread through the brain tissue.
Tumors that start in the brain (primary brain
tumors) are not the same as tumors that
start in other areas of the body and then
spread to the brain (metastatic or
secondary brain tumors). In adults,
metastatic tumors to the brain are actually
more common than primary brain tumors.
The main concerns with brain and spinal
cord tumors are how readily they spread
through the rest of the brain or spinal cord
and whether they can be removed and not
come back.
The general symptoms caused by a
brain tumor depend on where the
tumor is. Symptoms may include:
¤ Headaches, seizures or
balance problems
¤ Trouble speaking
¤ A change of mood such as
depression
¤ A change in personality
¤ Weakness, stiffness or paralysis in
part of the body
¤ Changes in vision, hearing, or
other senses
¤ Tremors or involuntary
movements
99 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 732-557-3120 NewJerseyCK.com

4. Benign (Non-Cancerous) Brain Tumors
In most other parts of the body, benign tumors do not grow
into nearby tissues or spread to distant areas, so in other
parts of the body they are almost never life threatening.
However benign brain tumors can, as they grow, press on
and destroy normal brain tissue, causing damage that is
often disabling.
Benign brain tumors include:
¤ meningioma
¤ acoustic neuroma
¤ pituitary adenoma
¤ craniopharyngioma.
99 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 732-557-3120 NewJerseyCK.com

5. Malignant (Cancerous) Brain Tumors
One of the main reasons malignant tumors are so dangerous is because
they have a propensity to grow. Typical malignant brain tumors include
glioblastoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, primary CNS lymphoma and
medulloblastoma.
The American Cancer Society’s 2014 estimates for brain and spinal cord
tumors in the United States include both adults and children:
¤ About 23,380 malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord (12,820 in males
and 10,560 in females) will be diagnosed.
¤ Overall, the chance that a person will develop a malignant tumor of the
brain or spinal cord in his or her lifetime is less than 1% (about 1 in 140 for a
man and 1 in 180 for a woman).
99 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 732-557-3120 NewJerseyCK.com

6. Brain Tumor Treatment Options
Treatment is based on the type of tumor and other factors, and
sometimes more than one type of treatment is used. Doctors plan
each person’s treatment individually to give them the best
chance of treating the cancer while limiting the side effects as
much as possible.
¤ Surgery
¤ Stereotactic Radiosurgery (CyberKnife® or GammaKnife®)
¤ Radiation Therapy
¤ Chemotherapy
¤ Targeted Therapy
99 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 732-557-3120 NewJerseyCK.com

7. Brain Tumors + CyberKnife Treatment
CyberKnife has the ability to treat acoustic neuromas,
brain metastases, gliomas, meningiomas and pituitary
adenomas with stereotactic radiosurgery.
Unlike some radiosurgery systems, the CyberKnife
doesn’t need an invasive head frame. Other
radiosurgery systems are capable of high-dose
radiation treatment with a variety of radiation sources.
However, some use a metal frame attached to the
patient’s skull with screws that immobilize the head to
accurately target the tumor.
Typically, treatment is completed in one session but
could take up to five sessions depending on the
individual diagnosis. Treatment procedures take about
30 – 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the
tumors.
99 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 732-557-3120 NewJerseyCK.com

8. Treating Brain Tumors at
New Jersey CyberKnife
New Jersey CyberKnife expanded brain and spine tumor treatment
expertise with the addition of Dr. John Lipani. A board-certified
neurosurgeon, Dr. Lipani has treated more than 3,500 brain and spine
tumor patients with CyberKnife technology. He is a nationally recognized
specialist in the field of brain and spine stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).
99 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 732-557-3120 NewJerseyCK.com

9. New Jersey CyberKnife
Patient Testimonial
New Jersey CyberKnife patient
Laurel underwent three surgeries and
conventional radiation therapy for a
recurring meningioma before turning
to CyberKnife treatment.
“The New Jersey CyberKnife staff was
very knowledgeable and made sure I
was comfortable, even offering
blankets during my treatment
sessions,” Laurel said. “During my five
treatments, I relaxed by listening to
music, and I felt very comfortable with
my knowledge of how the CyberKnife
was going to move around me.”
“After having undergone other treatments for
her diagnosis, Laurel required a nonsurgical
option. She, like many of our patients, was
drawn to the convenience of CyberKnife
treatment,” Dr. D’Ambrosio said. “Patients
typically experience few to no side effects and
can return to their daily routines immediately
following treatment.”
99 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 732-557-3120 NewJerseyCK.com

10. Our Center
New Jersey CyberKnife at the J. Phillip Citta Regional
Cancer Center combines experienced physicians
and the latest medical advances. Our state-of-the-art
technology offers hope to patients in New Jersey
and beyond. Medical Director Dr. David D’Ambrosio
specializes in advanced radiation treatment and
therapy options. His expertise includes intensity-modulated
and stereotactic radiation therapies,
including CyberKnife radiosurgery, head and neck
cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer.
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer,
contact New Jersey CyberKnife to schedule a
consultation with our physicians to determine the
best next step for your treatment needs.
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99 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 732-557-3120 NewJerseyCK.com