Center for Neuro-Oncology
Our Services
The Center for Neuro-Oncology at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center offers comprehensive therapy for patients with primary and metastatic tumors of the brain and spinal cord, as well as neurologic complications of cancer and its treatments. Our state-of the-art services and treatments Include:
NeuroImaging
Imaging of the brain and spinal cord is performed with the most recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including functional MRI, perfusion and diffusion MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Other imaging modalities include computerized tomography (CT) scans, positron emission tomography (PET) scans and single-photon emission computed tomgraphy (SPECT) scans.
Consultation
Comprehensive consultation services regarding the diagnosis and management of tumors of the brain and spinal cord and neurologic complications of cancer and its therapies are available. After evaluation of clinical reports, radiology studies, and pathology materials at a multidisciplinary brain tumor conference, recommendations can be made regarding therapeutic options including surgery, radiation therapy, and standard and investigational chemotherapy.
Neurosurgery
The Neurosurgery Department at the Dana Faber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center routinely uses cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximal tumor removal without causing neurological injuries to our patients.
These include a revolutionary open-style MRI scanner within an operating room suite that allows the neurosurgeon to obtain MRI images in real time as tumors are being removed. This "intra-operative MRI" can in many instances help the neurosurgeon achieve a complete tumor resection without any damage to surrounding brain tissue.
Other surgical technologies include the use of 3-D intra-operative navigation systems for precisely locating deep seated or small brain tumors; the monitoring of speech, motor or visual functions during surgery to avoid any post-operative deficits; and the monitoring of delicate cranial nerve functions during skull base tumor removals.
Neurosurgical Consultation
From the time of diagnosis of a tumor, patients will be seen and evaluated within 24 hours. Patients from out of state or other countries can in many instances forward radiological studies and local physician's notes in lieu of an initial personal visit.
We specialize in neurosurgical services for oncology patients with the following benign or malignant tumors:
- Brain tumors: low grade gliomas, astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, anaplastic astrocytomas, glioblastomas, pineal gland tumors, and brain cysts;
- Spinal cord tumors;
- Pituitary, acoustic and skull base tumors: chordomas, meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, sinus carcinomas, and pituitary tumors; and
- Von Hippel-Lindau Disease (VHL);
The treatment plan for newly diagnosed patients will be a surgical procedure, either a complete removal of the tumor or a needle biopsy to establish a diagnosis. An operation is usually scheduled at the conclusion of the initial visit and patients requiring urgent surgery can be accommodated in a few hours. Non-surgical therapies such as entry into an experimental protocol may also be suggested as an alternative to surgery
Following surgery, patients are initially cared for in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit until they are ready to be transferred to the regular Neurosurgical Patient Care Unit. Discharge from the hospital to home or short-term inpatient rehabilitation facility and follow up visits are coordinated by the multidiscplinary neurosurgical team of physicians, nurses, residents, social workers, radiation oncologists, medical neuro-oncologists and physical and occupational therapists.
Radiation therapy
A highly experienced team of neuro-radiation oncologists, physicists and therapists provide both conventional and stereotactic radiotherapy treatments for primary brain tumors, brain metastases and spinal tumors. Our treatment facilities include a state-of-the-art shaped-beam radiotherapy system with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and intensity-modulated radiosurgery (IMRS) capabilities. This allows highly accurate targeting of tumors with maximal sparing of normal surrounding brain.
Chemotherapy and Clinical Trials
Treatment ranges from standard chemotherapy to antiangiogenic agents, differentiating agents, new molecular agents, and numerous institutional and national clinical trials.
Nursing
The nurses and nurse practitioners along with the medical staff provide health assessment, patient and family education, symptom management, screening for clinical trial eligibility, and quality of life assessment for patients with cancer. In addition, the nursing staff helps in the coordination of the treatment plan, clinical trials, referrals for psychosocial services such as support groups, social work, rehabilitative services, alternative therapies, visiting nurse agencies, home care agencies, and aid in the coordination of inpatient care.
Support Groups
The Brain Tumor Support Group is available for patients and family members with brain tumors. The purpose of the group is to provide general information about brain tumors and treatments, to bring patients and families together to share experiences, feelings and challenges associated with the disease, and to help patients and families effectively draw upon their strengths and coping skills. Guest speakers are invited periodically. Please call Nancy Olsen, RN at (617) 732-6826 for additional information.
Basic and Clinical Research
The clinical program at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center is supported by a strong clinical and basic science research program in Neuro-Oncology. The basic science program brings together scientists at DFCI, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Harvard School of Public Health with diverse backgrounds, including neuroscience, molecular genetics, developmental neurobiology, cancer biology, and bioinformatics. The mission of the basic science program in neuro-oncology is to understand why tumors develop in the brain, as well as to uncover the mechanisms that drive tumor growth and resistance to therapy. The clinical research program, a leader in neuro-oncology clinical trials, focuses on bridging the gap between patient care and laboratory science by applying the discoveries in the laboratory to drug development and treatment options. The close collaboration between the scientists and clinicians in neuro-oncology is fueled by the common goal of developing new treatments and ultimately a cure for patients with malignant brain tumors.
