Department of Neurosurgery

Chordoma Center

What Are Spinal Cord Tumors?

Spinal cord tumors are uncommon tumors that grow within the substance of the spinal cord (intramedullary) or just outside of it (extramedullary). Due to the rare nature of these tumors, effective and safe treatment is best achieved by working with physicians with extensive experience in their treatment.

At the spinal cord tumor program at Rhode Island Hospital, our team of neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, oncologists, and radiation oncologists work together to ensure patients receive personalized specialty care and an optimal treatment outcome. We utilize modern technology to enhance patient surgical outcomes including intraoperative computed tomography, frameless stereotactic navigation, and neurophysiology monitoring.

Tumors treated include:

Intramedullary: astrocytoma, ependymoma, metastasis, hemangioblastoma, cavernoma
Extramedullary: meningioma, schwannoma, neurofibroma, ependymoma.

Treatment Options

Treatment of spinal cord tumors requires technical expertise and a multidisciplinary approach. In many cases, surgery is the first-line treatment option for these tumors. Radiation and chemotherapy are often reserved for residual or recurrent tumors or tumors that are surgically inaccessible.

Ziya Gokaslan, MD, FAANS, FACS

Julius Stoll, MD Professor and Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgeon-in-Chief, Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital, Clinical Director, Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute, President, Neurosurgery Foundation
Adetokunbo A. Oyelese, MD, PhD

Professor of Neurosurgery, Vice-Chair, Strategy and Business Development, Director, Norman Prince Spine Institute, Director, Spinal Surgery Division
Patricia Leigh Zadnik Sullivan, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Center for Spine Tumor & Chordoma Research, Member, Legoretta Cancer Center
Christine K. Lee, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Center for Endoscopic Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Co-Director, Skull Base Surgery, Director, Translational Skull Base Laboratory
Basit Jawad, MD

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery, Otolaryngologist

Medical Oncology

Christopher Azzoli, MD

Jeffrey A. Brown and Barbara Horovitz Brown Associate Professor of Translational Medicine
Ariel Birnbaum, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine, Clinician Educator
Maria Constantinou, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Thomas Ollila, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Radiation Oncology

James Brindle, PhD

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Thomas A. DiPetrillo, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Jaroslaw T. Hepel, MD

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology and Neurosurgery, Director of Stereotactic Radiosurgery at Rhode Island Hospital
Paul Koffer, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Kara Leonard, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Associate Program Director, Radiation Oncology Residency, Tufts University School of Medicine
Yakub Puthawala, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Mark Rivard, PhD

Professor of Radiation Oncology
Esther Yu, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Ross Barker, DO

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
Alexios Carayannopoulos, DO, MPH

Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Chief, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Director, Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, President, American Academy of Osteopathic Examiners, President, Rhode Island Society of Pain Physicians
Justin Y. Li, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Attending Physician
Laert Rusha, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Attending Physician
Keith-Austin Scarfo, DO, MS

Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Chair, Pain and Opioid Stewardship Committee, Medical Director, Norman Prince Spine Institute, Director, Intrathecal Pump Program, Vice President, Rhode Island Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, Inc.