About
Us
The
Brain Tumor Center offers a coordinated, multi-disciplinary
approach to the care of adult and pediatric patients
with tumors of the nervous system as well as neurologic
complications of cancer.
Patients
can be referred for the development of a treatment plan
in conjunction with their primary physician, for a second
opinion, or for ongoing management by the Brain Tumor
Center physicians.
Patient
appointments or referral inquiries may be made by calling
the Brain Tumor Center at (617) 724-8770.
Within
the Center, patients with suspected or diagnosed brain
tumors are evaluated by a team of dedicated multidisciplinary
specialists in neurosurgery,
neurology,
radiation
medicine, diagnostic neuroradiology, neuropathology,
Nursing
Services and Pharmacy.
Assistance
for patients and their families is provided throughout
the course of illness by social service, patient support
groups and counseling.
Members of the Center participate in protocols provided
by the National Cancer Institute, the New Approaches
to Brain Tumor Therapy (NABTT) consortium of the NCI,
and the Pediatric Oncology Group (POG).
In
addition we are members of the CALG-B, and on the coordinating
committees of the American
Brain Tumor Association, the Pituitary
Tumor Network Association and the Central Brain
Tumor Registry.
Referred
cases are reviewed at formal conferences held on
Monday and Tuesday mornings of each week.
These
conferences provide expedited review of neurologic history,
radiographs and pathologic materials. Results of the
clinical discussions and treatment plans are provided
to referring physicians and/or to patients and their
families within one week of receipt.
Materials
should be forwarded by expedited carrier (such as Federal
Express, United Parcel Service, etc.) as a single package
and should include:
- A
synopsis of the clinical history that details previous
operations, radiation and chemotherapy and describes
the current condition of patient.
- A
copy of the previous pathologic report, and, if possible,
representative samples of the original glass pathologic
slides.
- A
list of specific questions being posed and the therapies
being considered.
- The
name, telephone and fax numbers of the referring family
member and/or physician.
The
information provided will be evaluated and recommendations
will be made regarding therapeutic options such as surgery,
radiation therapy, proton beam therapy and radiosurgery,
gene therapy, and investigative chemotherapy. If there
are any questions, please do not hesitate to call or
e-mail the BTC at MGH. Copies of the relevant
head or spine MRI or CT scans (not reports), including,
if possible, a study performed within the previous month.
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