Why Choose Swedish?

If you have a brain tumor, choosing the right place to get treatment is a critical decision. Here are some important reasons for choosing the Ivy Center at Swedish:

The Ivy Center is a true brain tumor center

Tumor samples are analyzed onsite

Subtle treatment changes can make a huge difference

Our clinical trials offer early access to new treatments

Brain tumors affect the whole patient – and their families

Experience matters

The Ivy Center is a true brain tumor center

In the video below, Dr. Foltz talks about the advantages of a true brain tumor center.

Having a brain surgeon on a hospital’s staff is not enough. A true brain tumor center has all of the experts who deal with brain tumors daily, including:

• Neurosurgeons whose primary focus is brain tumor surgery
• Neuro-oncologists specializing in the medical management of brain tumors
• Neuro-radiation oncologists with access to the latest radiation tools
• Neuro-pathologists who examine tumor specimens every day and determine an accurate diagnosis
• A medical staff specially trained in the post-operative care of brain tumor patients
• Neuro-radiologists who specialize in reading and interpreting CT and MRI studies

At Swedish, we have all of these specialists, most with decades of experience helping patients with brain tumors. You’ll find them in the same room talking about your case, making recommendations, and clearly explaining what the optimal treatment is for you.

Tumor specimens are analyzed on site

We focus on putting together the treatment plan that will give you a chance at the best possible outcome. The Ivy Center includes a comprehensive brain tumor research laboratory that provides rapid genetic analysis of brain tumors. We genetically screen brain tumor samples from each of our patients to find information that will help make an individual’s treatment more effective.

Subtle treatment changes can make a huge difference

There are more than 120 different types of brain tumors. And two people might have the same type of tumor, but respond differently to one type of treatment.

Our experts have the skill and experience to make subtle treatment changes to benefit our patients. For example, Gamma Knife® and CyberKnife® technologies are both excellent tools for treating brain tumors with radiation. And both are conveniently located in the same building as the Ivy Center. Knowing which tool and course of treatment will be most effective for an individual is crucial. The same principle applies when determining a course of action for chemotherapy. Each treatment plan is different because each patient is different.

Our clinical trials offer early access to new treatments

The Ivy Center provides patient access to community-based clinical trials that offer patients early and timely access to investigational drugs and treatments. These community-based trials are usually only available at a limited number of institutions nationwide.

The Ivy Center’s expertise in genetic analysis of brain tumors has led to leadership in a number of groundbreaking clinical trials in our Brain Cancer Research program.

Brain tumors affect the whole patient – and their families

A brain tumor affects more than a person’s health; it affects who that person is at the very core. It affects their families and other relationships as well. In addition to our dedicated medical team, we have an integrative care program that includes holistic therapy. From counseling to nutrition education to massage therapy, the Ivy Center offers a wide range of support programs for patients and families.

We also have an integrative care coordinator, who serves as a patient advocate and liaison. The coordinator:

• Manages schedules and appointments
• Facilitates communication with family members
• Oversees patient education and support-group activities

Experience matters

The Ivy Center is part of the Swedish Neuroscience Institute, which offers an extraordinary combination of:

• World-class medical expertise
• Advanced technologies
• State-of-the art facilities
• Leading-edge clinical research.

When it opened in 2008, the Ivy Center became the first community-based brain tumor treatment facility of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Today, it is one of the premier brain tumor treatment centers in the country.