The Milton S.
Hershey Medical
Center Skull Base
Surgery Team:
Comprehensive
Care Close
to Home
BY MIKE BRASSFIELD
TRE ATMENT OF SKULL
BA SE TUMORS, INCLUDING
THOSE AFFECTING
THE PITUITARY GL AND,
TR ADITIONALLY ENTAILED
OPENING THE SKULL OR
MAKING L ARGE INCISIONS
IN THE FACE AND REMOVING
PARTS OF THE FACIAL BONES.
THESE INVA SIVE PROCEDURES
CAUSED SIGNIFICANT PAIN AND
SCARRING AND REQUIRED LONG
HOSPITAL STAYS.
PENN S TATE HE A LTH Milton S. Hershey
Medical Center has marshaled clinical and
technological advances in this field and assembled
the only skull base surger y tea m in the reg ion,
incorporating safer, less invasive techniques and making
comprehensive care available locally for patients with skull base tumors.
The team includes otolaryngologists, otologists, head and neck surgeons,
neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, oculofacial plastic surgeons, medical and
radiation oncologists, and other clinical staff, who have regular tumor board
meetings to develop individualized treatment plans. Courses of treatment
may include different combinations of minimally invasive or open surgery,
chemotherapy, highly targeted radiation, and reconstructive surgery, depending
on patients' needs.
PRESERVING FUNCTION
The most advanced approaches to skull base tumors not only effectively
treat the condition but also minimize risk and preserve or restore optimal
M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S C E N T R A L P E N N S Y LVA N I A
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