Patient Story: Proton Therapy for Brain Tumor with Lindsay Strauss
Pregnant with her first child, Lindsay Strauss was diagnosed with a brain tumor and treated with proton therapy at Mass General Cancer Center.
Stephen E. and Catherine Pappas
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Your gift helps our team of brain, spine and nerve specialists at the Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology provide innovative, personalized treatments for all types of nervous system tumors. Make a gift.
We offer the full spectrum of conventional care as well as promising new therapies. We perform the highest volume of acoustic neuroma procedures in New England, and are leaders in glioblastomas, gliomas, meningioma, pituitary adenoma and other common and complex surgical procedures. We are also home to the Cranial Base Program, which focuses on treating tumors of the cranial base, the junction between the brain and the face and neck.
Our neuropathologists are sub-specialized in identifying brain, spine and nerve tumors. This expertise leads to more accurate diagnosis and staging, which forms the basis for your treatment. They use conventional tumor analysis techniques, as well as molecular techniques that may uncover tumor markers to guide patient therapy.
Advanced imaging technologies help define the size and shape of the tumor, identify important normal tissue nearby, and aid in removal of the tumor while protecting normal tissue. These include:
Medical therapy may include:
Our surgeons have extensive experience treating brain tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding structures. Advanced surgical techniques include:
Learn more about Mass General Neurosurgery.
Our multidisciplinary team of brain, spine and nerve cancer experts will develop and implement an integrated, care plan personalized to each patient. Depending on the stage and other characteristics of a patient’s cancer, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these therapies. Many clinical trials are also offered through our program.
Your treatment team may include:
Your team will develop and implement an integrated, personalized care plan for you. Depending on the stage and other characteristics of your cancer, the treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these therapies. Members of your care team meet regularly with you and your referring physician to ensure clear communication and seamless coordination of care.
Our radiation oncologists offer a range of therapies designed to shrink or destroy tumors while protecting normal tissue. Advanced technologies include:
Learn about the Central Nervous System Program in the Department of Radiation Oncology.
We offer an extensive array of clinical trials with a focus on new therapies for many types of brain tumors including glioblastoma. Some promising areas of our clinical and laboratory research include:
Find clinical trials for brain tumors.
Learn about the Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies.
A brain donation improves our understanding of these tumors and can enable research that leads to treatment innovations. It is also a chance for family and friends to learn more about their loved one's tumor. We appreciate your consideration of this generous gift to research and to future patients.
Our multidisciplinary group of brain, spine and nerve cancer experts will develop and implement an integrated, care plan personalized to each patient.
Genetic counseling for patients w/family history of cancers of the central nervous system.
This program addresses the unique needs of patients with cancer ages 15-39.
We offer a variety of education and support resources to help you and your family.
We offer a wide range of integrative therapies, workshops and support groups.
A checklist of items to bring with you for your first visit and helpful information.
See our Wellness and Support Program calendar.
The Cancer Center’s Story Project is an effort to capture stories from our community of patients, friends, family, clinicians, and staff who have been affected by cancer in some way.
Lindsay Strauss
Pregnant with her first child, Lindsay Strauss was diagnosed with a brain tumor and treated with proton therapy at Mass General Cancer Center.
Maryann Fitzgerald and Dr. Justin Jordan
“I know when [Dr. Jordan] talks about others who have gone through this, he knows we are all different…. He treats me as an individual, as if I’m the first person to ever have a brain tumor. He thinks about me.”
George Conti
"My focus has changed, I take every day as it comes, and feel more connected to others, especially my family and close friends. I try to 'stay cool' and look for the positive every day."
Kent Taylor
"The power of positive thinking and living each day to the fullest is how I live my life now. I'm not going to waste any days, I'll tell you that right now."
Anthony and Nina Schifone
"I’ve had quite a few experiences here and I am grateful. That’s my story."
Jordan Weil
"More than any place I’ve ever went to, more than college, this place really colored my world a lot.”
Mass General has the only proton therapy site in all of New England, with two proton therapy centers.
Our support programs can help patients and their families cope with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
This helped lead to new knowledge and breakthrough therapies.
Pregnant with her first child, Lindsay Strauss was diagnosed with a brain tumor and treated with proton therapy at Mass General Cancer Center.
In 2016, Jane noticed she was leaning towards the left when driving her car. She pursued medical attention, which identified a brain tumor. Jane immediately reached out to Mass General. After one call to the International Patient Center, Jane was ready to start treatment at Mass General.
Kent thought seeing white spots and feeling dizzy was a result of moving his full-time teaching job online during the pandemic. Now he believes working remotely saved his life as he was able to get diagnosed quickly with a glioblastoma and have treatment at Mass General Cancer Center.
Simeon Moses came to Massachusetts General Hospital when he could not find a physician to properly treat his headaches. Brian Nahed, MD, MSc, of the Department of Neurosurgery, successfully removed Simeon 's meningioma and alleviated his painful headaches
Janis Clouthier came to Massachusetts General Hospital, after not finding the right fit with another neurosurgeon, she found Brian Nahed, MD, MSc, of the Department of Neurosurgery, to treat her meningioma.
Contact the Mass General Cancer Center to make an appointment or to learn more about our programs.