Department of Neurosurgery

Comprehensive Brain Tumor Center

Combining multidisciplinary clinical care with cutting-edge basic research in the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial benign and malignant tumors.

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Comprehensive Brain Tumor Center

Combining multidisciplinary clinical care with cutting-edge basic research in the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial benign and malignant tumors.

Overview

Because of the complexity of the brain, treating brain tumors is challenging and requires the expertise of distinct specialists. The Comprehensive Brain Tumor Center at Brown University Health is an internationally recognized center that brings together the expertise of brain tumor-focused neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, neuro-radiologists, neuro-pathologists, oncology-focused psychiatrists, medical oncologists, and other specialists. Our program specializes in treating a broad spectrum of brain cancers, from the most common form to the most rare and complex, as well as neurologic complications of cancer. Our experts work together to integrate the best of the standard of care with deep clinical expertise in the context of peer-reviewed literature and clinical trials. Our goal is to deliver compassionate and effective care comprehensively, addressing both the medical and psychological needs of our patients and their loved ones.

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The key features of our brain tumor center are:

Subspecialty expertise: The rapid expansion in medical information in our lifetime is unprecedented, and it is becoming increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to remain abreast of all discoveries relevant to brain tumors. In this context, each of our specialists further sub-specializes in an aspect of brain tumor in ways that complement the knowledge base of other team members. This subspecialization ensures that our care is based on the most updated information.
Multidisciplinary team that personalizes oncology care: We assemble a tailored team of brain tumor specialists based on the distinct biology of the brain tumor and each patient’s unique needs. The multidisciplinary team of nationally recognized experts from various fields works together seamlessly to develop individualized treatment plans optimal for the underlying tumor and the patient under treatment.
Timely diagnosis with state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging: Receiving news of a brain tumor diagnosis or the possibility of a brain tumor diagnosis can be stressful, if not life-changing. Timely access to experts and modern diagnostic imaging, including spectroscopy and perfusion imaging, can mitigate stress and expedite subsequent treatment. We pride ourselves on providing timely access to our treatment team and state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging.
Advanced treatment modalities and expertise: Our surgeons have internationally recognized expertise in microsurgery, minimally invasive neurosurgery, skull base surgery, advanced neuro-endoscopy, and MRI-guided surgery (including laser interstitial thermal therapy). Our oncologists have substantial experience optimizing combinations of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, electric field therapy, cell-based therapy, and immunotherapy. Our radiation oncologists have extensive expertise in intensity-modulated radiation therapy, gamma knife, and brachytherapy. Our neuropathologist applies state-of-the-art molecular diagnostics to drive clinical care. The combined expertise of our multi-disciplinary team is unparalleled.
Comprehensive and compassionate care: We recognize that brain tumor patients and their loved ones have needs beyond medical treatment and provide support services (including counseling, neuropsychology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy) to help the patient and their care providers cope with the brain tumor journey. When appropriate, we will connect the patient to national brain tumor organizations, such as the Brain Tumor Network and the American Brain Tumor Association, which offer additional resources for support.
Research and Innovation: For many brain tumor patients, the standard of care offers limited efficacy, and recurrence after initial treatment means a scarcity or lack of established treatment options. In these situations, our center provides cutting-edge clinical trials based on innovative research scrutinized by the rigor of peer review. Beyond clinical trials, our multi-disciplinary team has extensive experience in the compassionate use of therapeutic agents based on the available peer-reviewed literature and decades-long clinical expertise. To develop the next generation of brain tumor treatments, our center hosts research by world-renowned experts who use artificial intelligence and genomic/proteomic methods to study our clinical experiences and tumor specimens collected after informed consent.
Available to national and international patients: Our services and expertise are available to physicians, surgeons, and patients nationally and internationally through consultation. We are committed to providing the best possible brain care that transcends geographical barriers.

People

Director

Clark C. Chen, MD, PhD

Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Brain Tumor Program, Co-Director, Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program

Neurosurgery

Deus J. Cielo, MD

Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Vice-Chair for Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, Director, Peripheral Nerve Surgery Division, Co – Director of Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program, Director, Memorial Hospital Neurosurgery Program
Curtis E. Doberstein, MD

Professor of Neurosurgery, Executive Vice Chair, Clinical Operations, Director, Cerebrovascular and Skull-base Surgery Division, Director, Neurosurgery Residency Training Program
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
Athar Malik, MD, PhD

Samuel I. Kennison, M.D. and Bertha S. Kennison Assistant Professor of Clinical Neuroscience, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Brain Injury & Restorative Neurosurgery, Director, Restorative Neuroscience Laboratory
Prakash Sampath, MD

Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Robotic Neurosurgery, Director, Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Director, Neurosurgery at Roger Williams Medical Center
Konstantina A. Svokos, DO, MS

Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics, Director of Fetal Neurosurgery, Co-Director, Neuroplastics, Co-Director, Center for Surgical Treatment of the Developing Brain and Spine, Pediatric Neurosurgeon

Neuro-Endovascular Radiology

Richard Haas, MD

Associate Professor, Clinician Educator, Diagnostic Imaging, Neurosurgery, & Neurology
Mahesh Jayaraman, MD

Charles and Elfriede Collis-Frances Weeden Gibson Professor of Diagnostic Imaging, Chair of Diagnostic Imaging, Director, Neurovascular Center, Professor of Neurology, Professor of Neurosurgery

Neuro-oncologists

Heinrich Elinzano, MD

Associate Professor of Neurology and Medicine, Clinician Educator, Co-Director, Brain Cancer Committee, Co-Director, Brown University Oncology Research Group, Neuro-Oncology Medical Lead, Brown University Health Cancer Institute
Howard P. Safran, MD

Professor of Medicine
Sasmit Sarangi, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurology
Eric T. Wong, MD

Professor of Medicine, Professor of Radiation Oncology, Professor of Neurosurgery, Professor of Neurology, Director of Medical Neuro-Oncology

Neuro-Radiologists

Glenn A. Tung, MD, FACR

Professor of Diagnostic Imaging
Jeffrey M. Rogg, MD, FACR

Associate Professor of Diagnostic Imaging, Director, Neuroradiology, Medical Director, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital
Jerrold L. Boxerman, MD, PhD, FACR

Professor of Diagnostic Imaging, Section Director, Neuroradiology, Medical Director, Brain Science Program, MRI Research Facility

Pathologists

Douglas C. Anthony, MD, PhD

Professor of Neurology, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
John E. Donahue, MD

Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Michael Punsoni, MD

Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Clinician Educator
Harry Rosenberg, MD

Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Radiation Oncologists

James Brindle, PhD

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Jaroslaw T. Hepel, MD

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology and Neurosurgery, Director of Stereotactic Radiosurgery at Rhode Island Hospital
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
Thomas A. DiPetrillo, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Yakub Puthawala, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Mark Rivard, PhD

Professor of Radiation Oncology
Esther Yu, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology

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

Neuro-psychiatry

Jennifer Davis, PhD

Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Clinician Educator
Nicole McLaughlin, PhD

Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Seth A. Margolis, PhD Seth A. Margolis, PhD

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior

Neuro-Ophthalmology

Tatiana Bakaeva, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurology, Clinician Educator

Conditions We Treat

We treat all forms of brain cancers, including but not limited to:

Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)
Astrocytoma (Isocitrate dehydrogenase wild type and mutant)
Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor (AT/RT)
Chondrosarcoma
Chordomas
Choroid Plexus Tumor
Craniopharyngioma
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)
Ependymoma
Ganglioglioma
Glioblastoma
Glioma
Hemangioblastoma
Medulloblastoma
Meningioma
Metastatic Brain Tumor
Neurocytoma
Oligodendroglioma
Pineal Tumor
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas
Pituitary Tumor
Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET)

We also treat neurologic complications of cancer, including:

Brain cancer-related bleeding or thrombosis within the brain
Cancer-related infection of the brain
Cancer-related seizures
Cancer-related strokes
Elevated intracranial pressure secondary to brain cancer
Hydrocephalus
Leptomeningeal disease
Radiation-induced injury

Technology

Research

Molecular Neuroscience and Neuro-oncology Laboratory

The mission of the Molecular Neuroscience and Neuro-Oncology Laboratory at Brown is to better understand the causes and mechanisms of brain tumors in order to provide more individualized treatment to patients today and develop innovative therapies for these aggressive cancers in the future.

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Other Affiliated Labs

Legorreta Cancer Center
Wafik El-Deiry
Imipridone class of small molecules in the treatment of glioblastomas

Legorreta Cancer Center
Jack Elias, MD
The role of chitosome and inflammation in cancer

Laboratory of Computational Modeling
Jay Hou, PhD
Shane Lee, PhD
Computational modeling in neuro-oncology

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Sean Lawler, PhD
Novel therapies against glioblastomas

Restorative Neuroscience Laboratory
Athar Malik, MD PhD
Understanding the physiologic impact of mass effect on cerebral physiology

Laboratory for Glioblastoma Research
Eric T Wong, MD, MA
Research on Tumor Treating Electric Fields