Approximately 35,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with a brain tumor each year. It is estimated by the American Cancer Society that 17,200 people in the United States will be diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor or spinal cord tumor during the year 2001. Brain and spinal cord tumors comprise only 1.4% of all cancers and 2.4% of all cancer-related deaths. This is a relatively low number, and brain tumors are generally considered to be rare or "uncommon" in occurrence. However, due to their location and invasive nature, they can be extremely dangerous.

Our Staff
Jean Ruppert, MS RN CNRN, is a Masters prepared registered nurse whose experience includes critical care, trauma nursing, nursing education, and most recently case management for brain tumor patients. She coordinates care for complex neuroscience cases and participates in research studies. She is a part of the stroke team at Kettering Medical Center. She facilitates the Southwest Ohio Brain Tumor Support Group for the Wallace-Kettering Neuroscience Institute. She has held certifications in critical care and presently in neuroscience nursing. Jean has been with Kettering Medical Center for 30 years.

Brain Tumor Links

• American Brain Tumor Association
  
• Oncology Nursing Society
  
• National Brain Tumor Foundation
  
• The Brain Tumor Society
  
• American Cancer Society
  
• National Cancer Institute
  
• Gliadel Wafers - Chemotherapy
  
• Gliasite.com - Radiation Therapy