Welcome!

The Saint John’s Health Center Brain Tumor Center was established in 2007 in conjunction with the John Wayne Cancer Institute. We are now expanding our services with our new Neuroscience Institute. We provide an update of recent accomplishments and future plans.

Our Director, Dr. Daniel Kelly, Announces the Arrival of his New Partner Dr. Amin Kassam (NSI Director)

Dr. Kassam’s accomplishments in the field of minimally invasive neurosurgery are truly remarkable in both scope and depth. He has been a key force in a paradigm shift within neurosurgery regarding endoscopic endonasal surgery,

Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery from 360 degrees

Drs. Kassam and Kelly use the term “360-degree minimally invasive brain surgery” to describe a comprehensive approach with the goals of maximizing tumor removal while minimizing manipulation of critical structures.The key principle is to create a surgical corridor that avoids crossing the path of nerves and critical blood vessels and minimizes brain manipulation. These approaches through a nostril or small scalp incision aim to reduce complications and disfigurement while promoting a more rapid, complete and less painful recovery. Although such approaches are now used for a majority of patients, some brain and skull base tumors still require larger conventional craniotomies for safe and effective removal.

Our New Clinical Setting

The New Saint John’s Keck Center is opening soon. This state-of-the-art facility includes new operative suites specifically designed for minimally invasive neurosurgery. It will also house the new John Wayne Cancer Center Clinics. Our new Trilogy Linear Accelerator for radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy for brain, pituitary and skull base tumors will also be operational in early 2010.

An International Experience of Patients & Teaching

Collectively, Drs. Daniel Kelly and Amin Kassam provide over two decades of experience teaching in minimally invasive neurosurgery. They have a combined series of over 2,000 patients treated with endonasal surgery and have been leading innovators in minimally invasive keyhole brain surgery from other access points such as the eyebrow and behind the ear.

Continuing Medical Education:

• Endonasal & Skull Base Key-Hole Surgery Course: 360-degree Minimally Invasive Access
  February 2010, taught by Drs. Kelly and Kassam will host this course in Palm Beach, Florida at the Anspach Center. (read more)
• Monthly Brain & Pituitary Tumor Clinical Case Conference:
  Held every 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m. at the
  John Wayne Cancer Institute. (read more)

Our Patients Tell Their Story:

• She lost her way home one day and could not remember how she got there…(read more)
• He lost his sense of smell…(read more)
• She found out she had a benign brain tumor and didn't hesitate to fly over 800 miles to Saint John's Health Center…(read more)

Clinical Trials & Translational Research:

• Clinical Trials & Quality of Life Studies:
  New chemotherapy agents for patients with brain tumors are being studied at the BTC. The impact of surgical and non-surgical treatments on quality of life is also carefully assessed. (read more)
• Brain & Pituitary Tumor Biomarker Study:
  In collaboration with Dr. David Hoon of JWCI, tumor tissue removed at surgery are studied for genetic markers that may indicate aggressiveness and responsiveness to chemotherapy, immunotherapy and/or radiosurgery. (read more)

Patient Support Group:

Under the direction of Dr. Kelly and patient advocate Sharmyn McGraw, our Pituitary and Brain Tumor Support Group continues at the John Wayne Cancer Institute. Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 and will be hosted by Dr. Amin Kassam. We welcome your participation. (read more)

Fellowship Training in Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery:

Our new fellow Nancy McLaughlin from Canada began in October 2009 and complete her fellowship in June 2011. Dr Kiarash Shahlaie, from UC Davis, Department of Neurosurgery will join the program in January 2010 for a 6-month fellowship. (read more)