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Information on Meningiomas & Benign Brain Tumors Neurosurgeons specializing in the treatment of meningiomas & other benign brain tumors. Referral material will be evaluated promptly. Proton Beam Stereotactic Radiosurgery Homepage MGH Neuro-oncology / Meningioma Information Resources (general information about brain, spine, and peripheral nerve tumors) Acoustic neuroma and other cerebellopontineangle (cpa) and skull base tumors Pituitary tumor (adenoma, carcinoma) information Neurofibromatosis (type I, Von Recklinghausen's disease) information Tuberous sclerosis resources Von Hippel-Lindau disease resources Links to other Neuro-oncology information and support resources Pediatric Brain, Spine, and Peripheral Neuroblast Tumors Neuropathology and the Neuropathology Consultation Service Return to the MGH Neurosurgery Homepage

Benign Tumors: Information about benign brain tumors including meningioma, epidermoid, dermoid, hemangioblastoma, colloid cyst, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, and craniopharyngioma.

Neurosurgeons Specializing in Meningiomas and other Benign Brain Tumors

The neurosurgical oncology group specializes in using modern neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET scanning) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) when necessary to ensure the most accurate diagnostic biopsies and maximal resection of benign and malignant meningiomas of the brain or spine. Computer assisted surgical planning is also employed as needed to ensure that menigioma removal is accomplished with the lowest risk possible. Both PET and many advances in functional MRI were initiated at MGH and are under current development here. In addition, these techniques a re supplemented by intraoperative functional mapping and physiologic monitoring when these techniques are appropriate to ensure the safest tumor removal. Addresses and telephone numbers of the members of the neurosurgical oncology staff can be obtained at their homepages by selecting the highlighted names.

• Robert L. Martuza, M.D., Chief, Neurosurgical Service
• Robert G. Ojemann, M.D. (special interests include hemangioblastoma, ependymoma, vestibular and other intracranial schwannomas, and meningiomas.)
• Fred G. Barker II, M.D.
• Lawrence F. Borges, M.D. (spinal meningiomaa)
• William Butler, M.D. (computer-assisted minimally-invasive neurosurgery)
• Bob S. Carter, M.D., Ph.D. (aneurysms and vascular malformations, skull base surgery, meningiomas, glioblastomas.
• Paul Chapman, M.D. (pediatric neuronocology and proton beam stereotactic radiosurgery)
• Brooke Swearingen, M.D. (menigiomas, pituitary and skull base tumors)
• Nicholas T. Zervas, M.D. (pituitary tumors)
• See also the MGH/MEEI Cranial Base Center (including acoustic neuromas and other cerebellopontine angle lesions)

Referral Reviews

Referrals for Benign Brain Tumors including:

benign brain tumors such as epidermoid, dermoid, hemangioblastoma, colloid cyst, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, and craniopharyngioma.

Review of referral materials is provided within one week of receipt. It is requested that materials be forwarded by expedited carrier (FEDX, DHL or similar) and should include:

• A one page synopsis of clinical medical history, operations, radiation and chemotherapy, current state of patient and proposed studies or therapy.
• Copies of pertinent MRI or CT scans including the most recent study.
• Glass pathologic slides along with a copy of the previous pathologic report.
  
  

Note: please call first before sending materials to:

Robert G. Ojemann, M.D.

White 5

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts 02114

Phone: (617) 726-8581

Facsimile: (617) 726-3126

E-Mail: ojemann.robert@mgh.harvard.edu

Pediatric Brain, Spine, and Peripheral Neuroblast Tumors

Pediatric brain tumors are treated by a multidisciplinary group including pediatric oncologists, pediatric neurologists, radiation oncologists, and pediatric neurosurgeons . See the MGH Pediatric Neurosurgery Homepage for a listing of MGH neurosurgeons with special expertise in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors. Proton beam stereotactic radiosurgery is also available for the treatment of pediatric brain, and spine tumors.

Appointments may be coordinated through the MGH Pediatric Neurology Service:

Elizabeth Dooling, M.D.

Director, Pediatric Neurology

Vincent-Burnham Kennedy-7

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, MA 02114

phone: (617) 726-3877

Investigational treatment protocols for children including chemotherapy are coordinated through the pediatric oncology service. For more information or to make an appointment contact MGH Pediatric Oncology:

David Ebb, M.D.

Director, Pediatric Oncology

Blake Building, Second Floor

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, MA 02114

phone: (617) 726-2737

Protocols therapy is currently available for the following tumor types. Data collection for the majority of these protocols is coordinated by the pediatric oncology group. Non-protocol therapies are available for tumors of any type.

• Low-grade astrocytoma
  • primary: POG Intergroup protocol
  • recurrent: idarubicin-based therapy and topotecan -based therapy)
• Optic pathway tumors
• Ependymomas
• Brain stem gliomas
  • topotecan -based therapy
  • taxol-based therapy
• Craniopharyngioma (see above )
  • Treatment for pediatric craniopharyngioma is coordinated through Dr. Dooling's office .
  • Treatment for adult patients is generally coordinated through one of the Neurosurgical Oncology offices.
• Supratentorial neoplasms (1. malignant gliomas: anaplastic astrocytoma, glioblastoma multiforme, malignant gliosarcoma, and malignant oligodendrogiomas; malignant small cell neoplasms with glial differentiation are also eligible. 2. Poorly-differentiated embryonal cell tumors (PDETs): undifferentiatied malignant small cell neoplasm, as well as those with pineal (pineoblastomas), ependymal (ependymoblastomas), or neuronal (primary cerebral neuroblastoma) differentiation, including cases diagosed as PNET.)
  • Topotectan-based therapy
• Medulloblastoma (infratentorial PNET)
  • POG low stage protocol
  • POG high stage protocol
  • recurrent: taxol
  • subquent recurrence: POG salvage protocol

Special protocols are also available for children under 3 years of age with tumors of various histologies.

MGH Neuropathology and the Neuropathology Consultation Service

Patholgic consultations regarding central and peripheral nervous system tumors are available from the Neuropathology Service. Prior to sending the original pathology report as well as slides (and tissue blocks if available) either of the following should be contacted:

E. Tessa Hedley-Whyte, M.D.

Department of Pathology (Neuropathology)

Warren-3

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boton, MA 02114

phone (617) 726-5156

or

David N. Louis, M.D.

phone (617) 726-5510

fax (617) 726-5079

Neurosurgeons | Referrals | Guestbook | Links | or see Malignant Brain Tumors