Oncologists to provide overview on new neuro-oncology guidelines

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical CenterApr 6 2010

Oncologists from top cancer institutions provide overview on new neuro-oncology guidelines

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center will bring together top neuro-oncologists from around the country for an all day symposium to address new treatment updates and review management of complex cases across a broad array of neuro-oncology specialties.

The Sixth Annual Neuro-Oncology Symposium: Update of New Guidelines in Neuro-Oncology will take place on Friday, April 9. The program will feature neuro-oncology experts from leading cancer institutions, including M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Northwestern University Medical Center, and Arkansas Neuroscience Institute.

"John Theurer Cancer Center is dedicated to providing doctors and others in the medical community with the most up-to-date, innovative research in all fields of oncology, including neuro-oncology," said Mark Pascal, M.D., Co- Chief, Neuro-Oncology, John Theurer Cancer Center. "For the sixth consecutive year, we are proud to bring together a group of highly esteemed oncologists to discuss the latest trends in our field."

These neuro-oncology leaders will discuss an array of topics, including the latest in surgical techniques for complex intracranial meningiomas, quality of life measures for brain tumor patients, radiosurgery outcomes for benign and malignant spinal tumors and an update on exciting new cutting-edge treatments for glioblastoma.

Featured speakers include:

• Ossama Al-Mefty, M.D., F.A.C.S., Co-Director, Arkansas Neuroscience Institute
• Christina Meyers, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., Professor, Department of Neuro-Oncology and Leader, Section of Neuro-Psychology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
• Jeffrey Raizer, M.D., Associate Professor, Neuro-Oncology and Medical Director, Neuro-Oncology, Northwestern University Medical Center
• Yoshiya Yamada, M.D., Attending, Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Mark Pascal, M.D., Co- Chief, Neuro-Oncology, John Theurer Cancer Center
• Viswanathan Rajaraman, M.D., Co-Chief, Neuro-Oncology, John Theurer Cancer Center

This symposium is part of John Theurer Cancer Center's ongoing commitment to provide extraordinary care through research and innovation. The neuro-oncology division includes one of the largest neuro-radiology services in the tri-state area to detect brain tumors. They also participate in a number of clinical trials and invest in state-of-the-art technology to improve patient outcomes. Most recently, the neuro-oncology division became one of 20 cancer centers in the United States to offer MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT). This highly-precise technology allows physicians to destroy only the targeted tissue, leaving healthy surrounding tissues unharmed.

"As we continue to grow, we are committed to adopting new innovations to enhance our neuro-oncology division, ultimately prolonging survival time while improving quality of life," said Viswanathan Rajaraman, M.D., Co-Chief, Neuro-Oncology, John Theurer Cancer Center.

This conference is open to the public, but primarily for neuro and medical oncologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiation therapists, neuro-radiologists and primary care physicians as well as other healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of brain and spinal tumor patients. The conference will be held from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm in the Hekemian Conference Center Auditorium located at Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Ave., Hackensack, New Jersey.