Department of Neurosurgery

Eric T Wong, MD, an authority on advanced treatments for glioblastoma, is recruited to the Lifespan Cancer Institute to direct the medical neuro-oncology service. He brings extensive knowledge and research experience that focus on device and drug therapies of primary malignant brain tumors, imaging of neurologic malignancies, and management of leptomeningeal metastases in the central nervous system. In the past 2 decades, his work has led to the development of innovative cancer treatment technologies, and simultaneously transformed the management of brain cancer by oncologists.

Dr. Wong earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He pursued an internship in internal medicine at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, followed by a residency in neurology at Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine as well as fellowships in neuro-oncology at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Prior to joining Lifespan, Dr. Wong was the director of the neuro-oncology unit, and co-director of the Brain Tumor Center, both located at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He also served on the neuro-oncology protocol committee at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Over the course of nearly 25 years, he investigated the mechanisms of action and applications of the NovoTTF-100A device that emits Tumor Treating Fields, or alternating electric fields, to treat brain cancer, while received funding from the National Cancer Institute, foundations, and leading device and pharmaceutical companies. His seminal work helped the initial approval of the therapeutic device by the United States FDA in 2011 and the publication of the first textbook on Alternating Electric Fields Therapy in Oncology: A Practical Guide to Clinical Applications of Tumor Treating Fields in 2016. In 2021, he was honored as a Distinguished Lecturer in the Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society of the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers, as well as presented with the Oncologist of the Year award by the Massachusetts Society of Clinical Oncologists. On May 28, 2023, Dr. Wong was bestowed an honorary degree Master of Arts ad eundem at Brown’s 255th Commencement, acknowledging his arrival to the university.

Throughout his career, Dr. Wong has been a lead author and contributing writer to professional journals, scientific communications, and medical media. Dr. Wong has served as an editorial reviewer and ad hoc reviewer for Annals of Neurology, International Journal of Cancer, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Journal of Neuro-Oncology, Lancet Oncology, Medical Physics, Neurology, Neuro-Oncology, Translational Oncology, etc. He is an active member of many oncology and scientific organizations, including American Academy of Neurology, American Association for Cancer Research, American Neurological Association and American Society of Clinical Oncology. He participated as a study section reviewer for the National Cancer Institute and the American Association for Cancer Research. He also served as a clinical advisor for National Government Services, a contractor for the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the national Blue Cross Blue Shields Association. Lastly, he takes particular pride in training the next generation of neuro-oncologists, some of whom are leaders in academic and medical institutions carrying out the tripartite mission of patient care, research, and education. He is currently overseeing the Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital neuro-oncology fellowship.

Degrees

1981 – 1985
Bachelor of Science Cum Laude
Electrical Engineering
University of Pennsylvania

1985 – 1989
Doctor of Medicine
Rutgers Medical School

Postdoctoral Training

1989 – 1990
Internship
Internal Medicine
New Jersey Medical School

1990 – 1993
Residency
Neurology
Barnes Hospital
Washington University Med. Ctr.

1993 – 1995
Fellowship
Neuro-Oncology
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

1995 – 1997
Fellowship
Neuro-Oncology
The University of Texas
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

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