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Neuro-Oncology Division

 

The neurosurgeons within our Neuro-Oncology Division at Penn Medicine are consistently considered some of the top surgeons in the country. From the extremely high volume of patients, the ground-breaking techniques being established, and the extraordinary research done by our scientists; Penn Neurosurgery's Neuro-Oncology Division simply stands above the rest.

Penn Medicine’s multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors provides better outcomes through advanced treatment, surgical techniques, post-operative care and clinical trials. This comprehensive approach is what allows us to be the leader of brain tumor surgery, performing the highest number of cases in Pennsylvania.

Types of Brain Tumors

  • Extra-axial: Tumors that arise on the surface or undersurface of the brain (skull base), and press on the brain are called extra-axial. They are often encapsulated and can frequently be cured by surgery alone or a combination of surgery with focal radiation therapy. This type of tumor includes pituitary tumors, meningiomas, epidermoid (cholesteatomas) and acoustic neuromas.
  • Glioma: Tumors that arise from within the brain that are derived from the connective tissue of the brain are gliomas. The glial cells "glue" the brain cells (neurons) together. These tumors do not spread outside of the brain, but invade within the brain, and are difficult to cure by surgery alone. These tumors include low-grade gliomas, anaplastic astrocytomas, glioblastomas, oligodendrogliomas and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas.
  • Metastatic: Tumors that migrate or metastasize to the brain are the most common type and are called metastatic. The source of this type of tumor can be a cancer of the lung (non-small cell lung carcinoma or small cell carcinoma), breast, colon, skin (melanoma) or kidney (renal cell carcinoma). Almost any type of cancer can spread or metastasize to the skull or brain. These tumors are often treated with a combination of surgery and/or radiation therapy. Advances in surgery (neuronavigation, computer-assisted microsurgery) and radiation therapy (CyberKnife®, Gamma Knife®, proton therapy) provide several options for achieving tumor control without injuring the surrounding brain.

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    In a recent news feature, local Philadelphia news anchor Pat Ciarrocchi came to Penn Medicine to get her hearing checked out but after undergoing an MRI, a small mass was discovered in her brain. From here, she was referred to Dr. O'Rourke thinking that there's a chance that she had a brain tumor. 

    You can click here to read the full first person account from Pat on her experience with Penn Medicine's Neuro-Oncology Division within the Department of Neurosurgery.

    In This Section

    Division Head

    A background of the Division Head of Brain Tumor at Penn Medicine, Nduka M. Amankulor, MD.

    Clinical Faculty

    Penn Medicine's Neurosurgery Department is divided into 4 divisions. Here are the clinical faculty for Tumors.

    Awake Craniotomy and Brain Mapping

    This is an advanced surgical treatment to remove brain tumors that allows for intraoperative speech and motor mapping during the procedure.

    Endoscopic Endonasal

    When brain tumors are located along the base of the brain, one technique routinely used for treatment is an Endoscopic Endonasal procedure which goes through the nose.

    Immunotherapy for Glioblastoma

    Glioblastoma is the most common form of malignant brain cancer, representing just over 15 percent of all primary brain tumors, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.

    Intraoperative MRI

    Intraoperative MRI is a useful technique for guiding neurosurgeons when removing brain tumors and treating epilepsy.

    Stereotactic Radiosurgery

    Stereotactic radiosurgery uses a large dose of radiation to destroy tumor tissue.

    TumorGlow®

    TumorGlow®, a type of intraoperative molecular imaging, relies on an injectable dye that has been specially engineered to accumulate in cancerous tissues, much more so than normal tissues.

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