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 The Center for Neuro-OncologyThe Center for Neuro-Oncology at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital provides specialized, comprehensive care for adults with suspected, newly diagnosed, or recurrent central nervous system tumors including malignant glial tumors, metastatic brain lesions, tumors of the vertebral column and spinal cord, and benign lesions such as meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, and low-grade astrocytomas. Because of their interests in the treatment of these tumors and in establishing high standards of care for patients with malignant brain lesions, physicians and researchers of the Center for Neuro-Oncology serve as principal investigators in a variety of clinical trials. The Center is thus able to offer investigational as well as the most current clinical procedures for characterization of gliomas and other tumors and for treatment of these lesions. For patient referral or questions, call 412-578-4340  Internet-Based Brain Tumor StudyThe Center for Neuro-Oncology at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital offer patients participation in the Internet-Based Virtual Brain Tumor clinical Study, a retrospective and prospective study to determine brain tumor treatment trends and which treatments or combination of treatments have been most effective for various types of brain tumors. Participants in the study follow whatever treatment of combination of treatments their physicians recommend and use the Internet to report their treatments and outcomes. Participants are asked to mail copies of reports of all operative procedures pathology examinations, imaging studies, and treatments. All information collected for the internet-Based Virtual Brain Tumor Clinical Study is kept in strict confidence; only statistical analyses of the data will be released. Although the study is not designed to prove the efficacy of one treatment over another, it is expected to provide information about what treatments have been most effective for each type of brain tumor. Such knowledge may increase and individuals patients' confidence in making treatment choices. Any patient with a brain tumor is eligible to participate in this free Internet-based study, regardless of tumor type, physical or mental condition, or prior or current treatments. The Internet-Based Virtual Bran Tumor Clinical Study is located at: http://www.virtualtrials.com < Back to TopRadiation TherapyInterstitial Radiation This study was part of a National Institutes of Health randomized trial planned and written by Center for Neuro-Oncology faculty. Results indicated that patients receiving high-dose-rate therapy for a short time survived significantly longer than those not receiving any implants. The Center for Neuro-Oncology continues to provide interstitial radiation therapy in addition to the standard therapy of intravenous chemotherapy and external beam radiation. A subsequent study being conducted at the Center is investigating the effectiveness of interstitial hyperthermia, with or without a chemotherapeutic agent, in conjunction with interstitial radiation. External Beam Radiation Conformal Radiation Patients receiving conformal radiation have a customized mask placed over the face and skull for attachment of the linear accelerator localizing system. They then undergo weekday treatments for one to several weeks. The effects of therapy are evaluated from magnetic resonance and/or computed tomography scans obtained before treatment and during follow-up. Some patients may need to undergo surgery after radiation therapy, for removal of necrotic tissue. < Back to TopChemotherapy InnovationsThe Center for Neuro-Oncology conducts research into new chemotherapeutic agents, optimal dosing, and novel techniques for delivery of these drugs directly into the tumor. Patients may be offered participation in the following chemotherapy protocols:
Biodegradable BCNU Implant The positive results of this study have led researchers to begin investigating the use of higher doses of BCNU and the use of biodegradable wafer chemotherapy as the initial therapy for brain tumors. This research also gives promise of possible therapy for brain tumors with other chemotherapeutic agents avoids the morbidity of systemically administered agents and thus provides the patient a better quality of life during therapy. High-Dose Tamoxifen Temozolomide Multiple-Agent Chemotherapy Innovative TherapiesNovel therapies being investigated at the Center for Neuro-Oncology include interstitial hyperthermia and immune system therapies. Combination radiotherapy, Interstitial Hyperthermia, and Chemotherapy Anti-Angiogenesis Phase II Trial Patients who are candidates for this trial and who choose to participate will receive a 1-hour intravenous infusion three times a week, with follow-up evaluations by physical examination, laboratory evaluations, and MRI staging of the tumor after 4 weeks and every 8 weeks thereafter. For patients who tolerate this therapy and whose tumors respond, therapy may continue indefinitely. Gene Transfer Therapy |
