January 18, 2007

Advanced Brain, Spinal Tumor Surgery Performed at Condell Medical Center
Local treatment option a comfort to patients and families

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill – More than one hundred adults with complex brain and spinal tumors have undergone successful surgery at Condell Medical Center to remove the growths over the last year. Dr. Egon Doppenberg , neurosurgeon on staff at Condell, is fellowship-trained in neurosurgical oncology at the prestigious M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and specializes in removing the cancerous and benign tumors.

“It’s unusual for a community hospital to offer this level of surgical care,” says Dr. Doppenberg, “as expertise in neurosurgical oncology is limited to a small number of surgeons nationwide.” Doppenberg relies on other talented cardiac-thoracic and vascular surgeons and anesthesiology professionals to help perform surgeries lasting up to 11 hours. The goal, he says, is complete tumor removal while maintaining full neurological function, reducing pain, and, in spinal surgeries, maintaining spine stability and mobility.
Doppenberg employs the latest surgical techniques, which generally help to obtain complete tumor resection. He uses the image-guided BrainLAB system featuring Vector Vision®—a “GPS-like” tool to help remove brain tumors.

The expertise of the neurosurgeons that practice at Condell, coupled with the central Lake County location give patients a decided advantage, explains Doppenberg. “When you undergo a major surgery, like removal of a brain tumor, you want your loved ones by your side. This isn’t always possible if a family has to travel long distances to the hospital.”

Following surgery, patients who require radiation can receive treatment at Condell’s Radiation Oncology Center and chemotherapy treatments at Condell’s Outpatient Infusion Center. Both centers are located in Libertyville, again eliminating the hardship of long-distance travel. At the centers, oncologists and radiation therapists use cutting-edge tools and medications to treat malignant brain tumors and spine tumors.

The tight-knit Condell community serves patients well, says Doppenberg. “The doctors know each other and work together on a regular basis, which goes a long way in providing continuity of care for our patients.”


###
Condell Medical Center is the leading provider of comprehensive medical and surgical services in Lake County, with state-of-the-art heart, neurosurgical, maternity and emergency services. Other services include: Condell Immediate Care facilities throughout Lake County, Centre Clubs (medically supervised fitness facilities), Pediatric Alternatives in Creative Therapy (PACT), Radiation Oncology Center, Condell Home Services, and Condell Day Center for Intergenerational Care. Physicians are independent practitioners and are not employees or agents of Condell Medical Center.