The Carle Health Neurosciences Institute is home to the most advanced neuroscience treatment plans and surgical services in central Illinois. The Institute is also home to the Carle Brain and Spine Tumor Program, their unique way of creating custom treatment plans for patients with complex brain, spine, and skull base tumors. Because each physician on the board focuses on a different aspect of health, areas of need are identified and managed effectively.
In each brain tumor board session, the multidisciplinary team reviews patient cases like Charlie Finn. An October 2020 visit to an emergency room and CT scan revealed a large mass that was most likely a malignant brain tumor.
“They took me by ambulance to Carle, and I met with Dr. Mostafa the next morning,” Finn said. “That’s when he told me more than likely we were looking at a brain tumor.” Wael Mostafa, MD, is the Chief of Neurosurgery and the head of the Carle Brain Tumor Program and performed the surgery to remove Finn's brain tumor. The tumor was a glioblastoma, a cancer that causes a growth of cells to form in the brain or spinal cord. “Within a day, I went in for surgery. I couldn’t believe it was so fast," said Finn.
After his urgent surgery, the tumor board discussed Finn’s case and future care. “The tumor board has a bi-weekly meeting to discuss cases,” said Dr. Mostafa. “His case has been discussed multiple times.”
Since his surgery, Finn has received multiple types of adjuvant therapy, such as radiation, Avastin, an immunotherapy drug, and Temodar, a chemotherapy medication. Finn also receives regular MRIs to ensure that the cancer is under control, and for the last four years, the cancer has shown no signs of recurrence.
“I was only given three to 12 months, but I’ve always stayed positive, and here I am almost four years later. That’s pretty unheard of for someone with this aggressive of cancer,” Finn said.
Recently, an MRI revealed a new brain lesion, so Finn received another scan with a Siemens MAGNETOM Terra 7 Tesla MRI scanner. The 7 Tesla allows for better characterizing of the lesion with the best available imaging modality. Carle Foundation Hospital is one of just a handful of hospitals in the country with the level of equipment.
As of now, it is unclear if the second lesion is a tumor, but it is being monitored closely for changes. “He does not have recurrence at the primary site, which is uncommon for such a diagnosis,” Dr. Mostafa said.
Finn has advice for patients who receive a serious diagnosis.
“Just don’t give up,” said Finn. “Think positive. You can expect the worst but always hope for the best. It’s mind over matter. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have seen my daughter graduate, my son getting his permit, all the vacations I would have missed if I gave up.”
“Charlie has had one of the best positive attitudes I have ever seen,” Dr. Mostafa said. “I feel that his positive attitude and energy have contributed to his great outcome.”
Providers on the Brain and Spine Tumor Board will continue to review Finn’s case and ensure they are being as proactive as possible with their care plan. The collaborative expertise of the board works to complement what Finn’s positivity and resiliency bring to continue to meet more milestones.
“You’ll have hard days with pain, but you have something to live for,” Finn said. “Keep your head up, stay positive and fight the fight.”
For more information on the Brain and Spine Tumor Board, visit Carle.org.
In each brain tumor board session, the multidisciplinary team reviews patient cases like Charlie Finn. An October 2020 visit to an emergency room and CT scan revealed a large mass that was most likely a malignant brain tumor.
“They took me by ambulance to Carle, and I met with Dr. Mostafa the next morning,” Finn said. “That’s when he told me more than likely we were looking at a brain tumor.” Wael Mostafa, MD, is the Chief of Neurosurgery and the head of the Carle Brain Tumor Program and performed the surgery to remove Finn's brain tumor. The tumor was a glioblastoma, a cancer that causes a growth of cells to form in the brain or spinal cord. “Within a day, I went in for surgery. I couldn’t believe it was so fast," said Finn.After his urgent surgery, the tumor board discussed Finn’s case and future care. “The tumor board has a bi-weekly meeting to discuss cases,” said Dr. Mostafa. “His case has been discussed multiple times.”
Since his surgery, Finn has received multiple types of adjuvant therapy, such as radiation, Avastin, an immunotherapy drug, and Temodar, a chemotherapy medication. Finn also receives regular MRIs to ensure that the cancer is under control, and for the last four years, the cancer has shown no signs of recurrence.
“I was only given three to 12 months, but I’ve always stayed positive, and here I am almost four years later. That’s pretty unheard of for someone with this aggressive of cancer,” Finn said.
Recently, an MRI revealed a new brain lesion, so Finn received another scan with a Siemens MAGNETOM Terra 7 Tesla MRI scanner. The 7 Tesla allows for better characterizing of the lesion with the best available imaging modality. Carle Foundation Hospital is one of just a handful of hospitals in the country with the level of equipment.
As of now, it is unclear if the second lesion is a tumor, but it is being monitored closely for changes. “He does not have recurrence at the primary site, which is uncommon for such a diagnosis,” Dr. Mostafa said.
Finn has advice for patients who receive a serious diagnosis.
“Just don’t give up,” said Finn. “Think positive. You can expect the worst but always hope for the best. It’s mind over matter. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have seen my daughter graduate, my son getting his permit, all the vacations I would have missed if I gave up.”
“Charlie has had one of the best positive attitudes I have ever seen,” Dr. Mostafa said. “I feel that his positive attitude and energy have contributed to his great outcome.”
Providers on the Brain and Spine Tumor Board will continue to review Finn’s case and ensure they are being as proactive as possible with their care plan. The collaborative expertise of the board works to complement what Finn’s positivity and resiliency bring to continue to meet more milestones.
“You’ll have hard days with pain, but you have something to live for,” Finn said. “Keep your head up, stay positive and fight the fight.”
For more information on the Brain and Spine Tumor Board, visit Carle.org.
Categories: Redefining Healthcare
Tags: Brain, Institute, Neuro, Neurology, Neurosciences, Spine, Tumor