Department of Neurosurgery

Neuro-Oncology Program

Treatments Available

Standard, investigational, and experimental treatments are available at West Virginia University for the treatment of patients with primary and metastatic tumors of the brain and spine. These treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Neurosurgical treatments for patients with brain tumors include the use of computer guided navigation systems in the operating room in order to identify of the three dimensional coordinates of the lesion and the surrounding normal brain structures. Stereotactic procedures such as these enable maximal tumor removal through smaller openings in the scalp and skull while minimizing the irritation of the surrounding brain tissue. These techniques have minimized the risk of surgery, improved patient comfort and shortened hospital stays to frequently less than three days.

Surgical treatments occasionally involve the cooperation of other surgical disciplines such as Otolaryngology, Oculoplastics, and Plastic Surgery when the tumors involve the ears, sinuses, or eyes. Cooperative efforts with radiation therapy, hematology-oncology and neurosurgery have led to the development of the local therapy treatments to maximize tumor control and minimize the risk of side effects to the surrounding brain. Either radioactive seeds or chemotherapy soaked wafers have been implanted directly into malignant brain tumors. Brain cysts can be decompressed and injected with radioactive Phosphorus in order to stop the recurrent mass effect.

Radiation therapy treatments include standard ionizing beam external radiation therapy with or without radiation sensitizing medications. Brachytherapy with implantation of radioactive phosphorous compounds into brain cysts or Iodine-125 radioactive seeds into brain tumors have been performed. Stereotactic convergent beam radiosurgery has been performed at West Virginia University since 1991. Radiosurgery is an outpatient treatment without incisions that may control brain tumors without subjecting the patient to the risks of surgery.

Chemotherapy treatments available include medications taken by mouth, intravenously, intra-arterially, and directly implanted into the brain tumor. Oral medication has been found to be well tolerated and convenient. Methods such as intra-arterial chemotherapy and direct implantation of chemotherapy soaked wafers into the brain tumor have enabled higher doses of chemotherapy to be delivered to the brain tumor with less systemic exposure. These methods may be able to improve tumor control and reduce the systemic side effects of these chemotherapy agents.

Immunotherapy and Gene Therapy for brain tumor patients are not currently available at West Virginia University. However, we have a good working relationship with university programs in the region and nationwide where these treatments are offered. Patients are educated regarding these treatment options and referred to these centers if they are interested.