The Division of Surgical Neurooncology in the Department of Neurological Surgery and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami is one of the largest and most complete programs for brain tumor treatment in the United States. As the only academic medical center in the region, the University of Miami offers a unique and comprehensive approach to these conditions, with interdisciplinary discussion between neurosurgery, neurology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. Management paradigms are case specific and tailored to the individual needs of each patient, with state-of-the-art treatment protocols, clinical trials, vaccine development, surgical techniques, adjuvant therapies, and laboratory research aimed at improving outcomes -- even on the most challenging types of tumors. University of Miami neurosurgeons also have expertise in CyberKnife® radiosurgery and work with radiation oncologists to optimize radiation therapy.
Being a tertiary referral center for south Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, and the rest of Latin America, the University of Miami treats a large number of patients affected by all types of brain tumors. The division of surgical neurooncology has published hundreds of research articles in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters over the years.
Founded over 50 years ago by Dr. David Reynolds MD, the department of neurosurgery at UM has grown to include many centers including the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, which has been cited as the "world's largest, most comprehensive research center dedicated to...spinal cord injury." Located in Miami, Florida, the University of Miami Medical Center includes Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami Hospital, which collectively form the third largest medical center in the nation.
Currently, the department is chaired by Dr. Barth A. Green, founder of Project Medishare for Haiti, and co-chairman Dr. Roberto C. Heros.
Video University of Miami Division of Surgical Neurooncology
List of doctors
- Roberto C. Heros MD
- Ronald Benveniste MD PhD
- Jonathan Jagid MD
- Ricardo J. Komotar MD
- Howard Landy MD
- Jacques Morcos MD
Maps University of Miami Division of Surgical Neurooncology
Heat shock protein vaccine trial
New clinical trial is being explored at select and distinguished medical centers including Johns Hopkins Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, University of California San Francisco, University of Miami and a few others. This treatment is tailored to newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma multiforme, and aims to activate the patients's immune system against the tumor antigen to prevent recurrence using HSPPC-96. Preliminary data suggests that this novel agent has promising results against cancer. UM is the only center conducting this trial in the state of Florida.
Types of Tumors Treated
Gliomas
Types
- Glioblastoma (grade IV glioma)
- Anaplastic astrocytoma (grade III glioma)
- Low-grade astrocytoma (grade II glioma)
- Pilocytic astrocytoma (grade I glioma)
- Oligodendroglioma
- Ependymoma
- Mixed Glioma
Treatments
Glioma treatment depends on the clinical and pathological presentation of the tumor. Treatment involves a combined approach that may utilize surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Metastatic Tumors
Any type of cancer which has arisen from another part of the body that has spread to the brain are referred to as cerebral metastases
Meningiomas
Meningiomas are the second most common primary tumor of the central nervous system although they are usually benign. Treatments for Meningioma may include preoperative embolization and radiation therapy.
Acoustic Neuromas
Also known as a vestibular schwannoma, Acoustic Neuroma can be managed conservatively or surgically.
Treatments
Treatment may be conservative depending on the clinical presentation and the physician decision. Conservative treatment involves monitoring the tumor annually to assess growth. This practice is usually common in elderly patients.
Surgery may also be an option for patients. Special Consideration is taken to ensure preservation of patient's hearing and facial function. UM specialists tend to collaborate with the school's neurootology team to ensure good outcomes. Surgery may also be coupled with radiotherapy. Currently, minimally invasive endoscopic surgery for these tumors is an option at specialized medical centers such as UM. Radiation therapy can include cyberknife radiosurgery or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, or proton therapy.
After radiation treatments for vestibular schwannomas, patients must receive MRIs annually due to the possibility of recurrence of secondary tumors.
Pituitary Tumors
Pituitary adenomas are tumors that occur in the pituitary gland.
Treatments
Pituitary tumors can be treated with medicine to decrease the tumor size and symptomatology. Treatment for larger tumors can be accomplished with radiation therapy or surgery. Surgery is usually performed transsphenoidally and also may involve Cyberknife surgery.
Skull Base Tumors
Types
- Nasal carcinomas
- Chordomas
- Chondosarcomas
- Glomus
Treatments
Skull base tumors can be treated in a variety of ways including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or even a combination of these treatments. Patients are given the option for open surgery or minimally invasive procedures.
Open Surgery Depending on the tumor type and location, open surgery may be preferred for certain patients. The bone is removed and the tumor is able to be resected widely. Usually after the tumor is removed, the neurosurgeons seek the multidisciplinary help of plastic surgeons to help reconstruct the soft tissues to provide little or no facial deformities.
Minimally Invasive Surgery This surgery utilizes image guiding, endoscopy, or real-time MRI to determine tumor location and facilitate resection. Endoscopy uses a flexible camera tube through small openings in the skull to view tumors in the skull base. Alternatively, image guided surgery uses preoperative MRIs or CTs to give the surgeons navigation to enhance the precision of resection. Even more advanced, some surgeons at UM are able to use real-time MRI to determine the extent of resection of the tumor intraoperatively, which naturally reduces the need for extra operations.
Awake Craniotomy
Procedure
Intraoperatively, University of Miami neurosurgeons and neurologists use certain techniques to reduce and prevent damage to essential areas of the brain used for language, muscle skills, and sensation. In order to avoid damage to these areas, neurosurgeons must determine the location of these functional areas that are mapped while the patient is awake. Using special mapping procedures while the patient is awake during the operation, certain areas of the brain are stimulated with a mild electric current to determine the functionality of various areas. If certain areas are critical for the patient's function, that area of the brain is preserved, meanwhile the tumor in the non-functional areas will be targeted and removed.
Technique
- The operation is begun with the patient asleep to ensure patient comfort.
- The sedation is lifted slowly during the critical part of the surgery.
- The patient is asked to talk, move and follow commands from the neurology team during the operation.
- If stimulation hinders any of the tasks, then care is taken to avoid this area.
- Once the tumor is removed, the physicians anesthetize the patient to allow the neurosurgeon to finish the operation.
Advantages/Research Studies
Awake Craniotomies can be used to treat tumors and focal epileptic areas in the brain. Research studies have shown that awake craniotomy may increase the feasibility of removing the entire tumor, reduces morbidity, and increases survival.
References
External links
- UM Division of Surgical Neurooncology
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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