In recent years, there have been significant advances in the ability of neurological oncology specialists to diagnose brain tumors and to predict their behavior. For a number of different brain tumor types, advances in treatment have led to improved outcomes as well. Other types of brain tumors remain difficult to treat successfully.

The Western New York Neuro-oncology Center at Roswell Park Cancer Institite provides comprehensive brain tumor care using a multidisciplinary team that includes: neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, medical neuro-oncologists, neuroradiologists, endocrinologists, neuropathologists, neuropsychologists, nurse practitioners, nurse case managers, social workers and physical, occupational and speech therapists.

Neurosurgeons at the Western New York Neuro-oncology Center at Roswell Park provide individualized surgical care using modern techniques including computer-assisted and image-guided neurosurgery, microneurosurgery, and Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery. These methods form the core of the surgical armamentarium for patients with brain tumors.

Radiation Oncologists at the Neuro-oncology Center treat brain tumors with radiation therapy using a variety of different methods. These include: intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), fractionated focused radiation and whole brain radiation therapy. In addition, radiation oncologists collaborate with neurosurgeons in the use of stereotactic radiosurgery to treat certain tumors with single-dose, high-intensity radiation. The neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists work closely on procedures to administer brain tumor brachytherapy as well.

Medical Neuro-oncologists at the Center specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors and the neurological problems that are sometimes caused by cancers in organs other than the brain itself. They treat brain tumors with chemotherapy and other medical and biological therapies. Medical neuro-oncologists collaborate with radiation oncologists and with neurosurgeons in order to “synergize” the various treatments.

The multi-disciplinary team approach is best suited for patients with complex medical problems like brain tumors. Surgical, radiation and chemotherapeutic treatments frequently complement each other, making care by a team of experts in different, but related disciplines efficient and well-coordinated. The team approach allows professionals from different fields to join forces in designing therapy that is individualized. By obtaining a “consensus” opinion, the chance of achieving maximum benefit from treatment with a minimum of side-effects may be improved. A thorough discussion of the full range of brain tumor treatments can then be offered to the patient and his or her family. No other facility in Western New York provides this kind of expertise and advanced technology in a coordinated and comprehensive fashion to brain tumor patients.

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