The Surgical Neuro-oncology Program

As a multi-disciplinary program in DCNS, the Surgical Neuro-oncology Program was established to focus on neurosurgical care for brain tumor patients. The program provides excellent care and it improves care in the future through education, research and advocacy.

Our patients have both low grade and malignant brain tumors, including those involving the brain and the skull base. Neurosurgeons work in concert with neuro-oncologists, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, and radiation oncologists specializing in the treatment of brain tumors. Regular clinical meetings and teaching rounds occur to co-ordinate care plans for patients. We are also able to offer access to unique treatment modalities, such as the intraoperative MRI theatre for assisting in the surgical treatment of brain tumor and intraoperative monitoring or cortical mapping for complex brain tumor resection.

Our program provides:

• Surgical treatment of patients with malignant brain tumor
• Surgical management of patients with low-grade glioma
• Clinical trials for adjuvant treatment of patients with malignant brain tumor
• Treatment wait times and outcomes for brain tumor patients
• Endoscopic treatment of patients with skull base or pituitary tumors

Education

The program provides fellowship training for neurosurgeons who want to develop special skills in surgical neuro-oncology.

Research

Members of the program are actively involved in clinical research to test new and innovative therapies to treat patients with brain tumors. Dr. Mark Hamilton and Dr. John Kelly are members of the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute.

All neurosurgeons have been participants in multi-center clinical trials, including those involving convection-enhanced delivery of agents into the brain to treat brain tumors and brain tumor vaccines. In addition, the Brain Tumor Tissue Bank is available to store tissue from consenting patients for current and future research.

Members

Neurosurgeons: Dr. Mark Hamilton, Dr. Yves Starreveld, Dr. John Kelly, Dr. Garnette Sutherland

Neuro-Oncologists: Dr. Paula de Robles, Dr. Greg Cairncross, Dr. Gloria Roldan

Radiation Oncologists: Dr. Rob Nordal, Dr. Gerald Lim

Nurse Clinician: Patricia Randall

Surgical Neuro-Oncology Nurse: Chelsea Demler