of individuals ages 65 and older may have one of these tumors and not know it. And if they have no symptoms they may never know it exists.” Dr. Hlavin said there are typically three treatment options for individuals with a meningioma brain tumor. If the tumor is relatively small and isn’t causing issues, observation is recommended. A second option is surgery if the tumor is causing problems, as it was in Darlene’s case. And radiation therapy may be a third option if a surgeon isn’t able to remove the entire tumor or if the tumor is in a spot where surgery is not safe. “Darlene’s tumor was about three centimeters,” said Dr. Hlavin. “I had some initial concerns about her tumor because it looked like it might be invading the skull. After some discussion we decided surgery to remove the tumor was the best route.” “We felt grateful Julie Hoffmann put us in touch with Dr. Hlavin and that she was going to remove the tumor,” said Larry. “Dr. Hlavin put us at ease and let us know she had done this surgery many times. We felt completely confident in her skills and think a lot of her as a person.”
Successful surgery The surgery was a success and Dr. Hlavin was able to remove most of Darlene’s tumor. Darlene stayed in a private room at St. Luke’s for about three days. “I had great care,” said Darlene. “Dr. Hlavin did an excellent job in removing the tumor and putting me at ease. The nurses were great. I felt the care was so well coordinated.” In accordance with state law Darlene was restricted from driving for six
months because of the seizure and she had routine follow-up MRIs to make sure the tumor didn’t return. “A small percentage of patients will have tumor regrowth so we monitor the patient for a period of time. It has been about two years since her surgery and I would say Darlene is doing great. There has been no regrowth and we’re down to yearly MRIs. Reoccurrences are uncommon.”
UnityPoint Clinic healthcare providers put their patients at the center of everything they do, they collaborate as a team and surround patients with care that is coordinated between the patient’s doctor’s office, hospital and their home. To find a UnityPoint Clinic or primary care provider that is right for you log on to myunitypointdoctor.com.
Coordinated care “Having Dr. Hlavin as a resource in our community is great,” said Hoffmann. “And being part of the UnityPoint Health system helps streamline the coordination of care between her office, our clinic and the hospital. As Darlene’s primary care provider I am kept in the loop and know what is being done for her and how I may follow-up to provide further support.” “I feel good,” said Darlene. “I am very grateful to Julie for sending me to get that CT scan when I thought the seizure was probably nothing. I am happy with the great care I received from Dr. Hlavin. It was so well coordinated and I felt like my care was always in great hands.”
Darlene O’Brian credits her UnityPoint Clinic Nurse Practitioner, Julie Hoffmann, for recommending brain scans after a seizure, which eventually discovered a brain tumor.
St. Luke’s Health Beat | Winter 2014 | 5