Multidisciplinary Team Approach
In Recent Years, there have been significant advances in the ability of neurological 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 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 clinicians, 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 a variety of 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 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. Radiation oncologists also collaborate with neurosurgeons in utilizing stereotactic radiosurgery to treat certain tumors with single-dose, high-intensity radiation.
Medical Neuro-oncologists at the Center specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors and the neurological complications that are sometimes caused by cancers in organs other than the brain itself. They treat brain tumors with chemotherapy and other medical therapies. Medical neuro-oncologists collaborate with radiation oncologists and with neurosurgeons in and effort to "Csynergize" 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. Recommendations regarding the full range of treatments can then be offered to the patient and his/her family.
Members of the WNY Neuro-Oncology Center
Ahmed Abdelhalim, MD - Radiation Medicine
Ronald A. Alberico, MD - Neuroradiology/Gamma Knife Center
Pauline Cole, NP - Neuro-Oncology Nurse Practitioner
Donna Czarnecki, PhD - Neuropsychologist
Robert A. Fenstermaker, MD - WNY NOC Co-director, Neurosurgery/Gamma Knife Center
Minsoo Kang, MD - Neuro-Oncology
Michael Kuettel, MD - Radiation Oncology
Laszlo L. Mechtler, MD - WNY NOC Co-director, Neuro-Oncology
Robert S. Miletich, MD, PhD - Clinical Neurologist and Director of PET
Kathleen M. Mogensen, NP - Neuro-Oncology Nurse Practitioner
Malti J. Patel, MD - Neuro-Oncology
Prasad, Dheerendra, MB - Radiation Oncology
Robert J. Plunkett, MD - Neurosurgery/Gamma Knife Center
Team Members include the following specialties:
- Neurosurgeons: Surgeons who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and surgical management of diseases of the brain.
- Medical Neuro-Oncologists: Cancer specialists who treat tumors affecting the brain.
- Radiation Therapists: Physicians who specialize in the administration of radiation therapy.
- Neuroradiologists: Radiologists who specialize in interpreting diagnostic images, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) scans of the brain.
- Neuropsychologists: Licensed psychologists who study how the brain functions and the impact damage to the brain has on an individual's ability to function.
- Radiation Oncologists: Cancer specialists who use radiation to treat cancer.
- Nurse Practitioners: Nurses who assess a patient's condition regularly and support physicians with the coordination of a patient's care.
- Social Workers and Case Managers: These staff help patients and their families adjust to the practical and emotional problems resulting from a serious disease, which includes providing links to community resources. They also teach problem-solving and stress reduction techniques.
- Physical Therapists: Health professionals trained to use treatments such as exercise and massage.
- Occupational Therapists: Health professionals trained to help physically disabled patients with the use of constructive activities to increase independent function, prevent further disability and achieve maximum independence.