Your Medical Team for Brain Tumor Treatment at the University of Colorado Cancer Center
The University of Colorado Cancer Center Neuro-Oncology Program is home to respected multidisciplinary medical and scientific team of experts who specialize in the care of brain tumors.
Each doctor on the team has a different area of expertise in brain cancer. Together, they combine their skills to determine and provide what’s best for you, based upon the type of cancer you have, how far it has spread, and even based upon your genes.
- Provides state-of-the-art care for those diagnosed with brain cancer
- Is recognized as a center for developing and setting new standards in the treatment of brain and related cancers
- Is recognized as a center for second opinions on all aspects of brain cancer care
Each member of our neuro-oncology team share a specific interest in brain tumor treatment. During their weekly Brain Tumor Conference, these doctors bring together their areas of expertise to evaluate each patient’s progress and treatment options.
Neuro-Oncology Team members include:
Neuro-oncologists – A doctor who has been trained in diagnosing and treating tumors of the nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Our on-staff neuro-oncologist, Denise Damek, MD, is the only fellowship neuro-oncology trained adult specialist in the state. These doctors have the best training available for brain tumor diagnosis and treatment.
Neurosurgeons – Doctors who practice neurosurgery, which is surgery that focuses on nervous system conditions. Our neurosurgery team includes Kevin Lillehei, MD, the director of our Neuro-Oncology Program, who has been recognized consistently by 5280 as one of the state’s best neurological surgeons.
Radiation Oncologists – Our radiation oncology team includes Laurie Gaspar, MD, a board-certified radiation oncologist whose expertise includes brain tumors. She chairs our Radiation Oncology Group, a nationally recognized group with significant expertise in brain tumors, as well as other cancer types.
Neuropathologists – Doctors who have specialized training in diseases of the central nervous system and brain. They identify diseases by viewing tissue under a microscope. Our on-staff neuropathologist, Bette K. “B.K.” Kleinschmidt-DeMasters, MD, is recognized nationally as the expert in neuropathology. She directs our Department of Neuropathology and has been president of the American Association of Neuropathologists since 2005.
Neurologists – In some cases, neurologists specializing in epilepsy may provide intra-operative monitoring. This is needed to avoid or minimize any problems after surgery. They also provide prolonged video-EEG monitoring, which is used to evaluate difficult to manage seizures.
Neuroradiologists – Radiologists who specializes in diagnosing or reading our specialized studies, such as CAT Scans, MRIs, MR Spectroscopy/Perfusion Studies, CT-PET. Our staff neuroradiologists include:
- Robert Bert, MD, PhD, an associate professor whose clinical interests include cerebrovascular hemodynamics, minimally invasive treatments of CNS tumors and molecular contributions of MRI signal.
- Jody L. Tanabe, MD, an associate professor radiology and psychiatry, who is board certified in radiology and neuroradiology. Clinical interests include functional MRI.
- David Rubinstein, MD, an associate professor and director of the Radiology Residency Program. Board certified in radiology, his clinical interests are neuroradiology and neuro-vascular imaging.
- Alexander Grimm, MD, an assistant professor, whose board certified in radiology. His clinical interests include, brain and spine CT, MRI and myelography.
Geneticists – Scientists who study genetics and its impact on diseases and conditions.
Other team members and services:
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) – Registered nurses who have completed advanced nursing education (generally a master’s degree) and training about medications and treatment guidelines.
Nurses or Registered Nurses (RNs) – A health care professional who serves as the primary point of contact for patients during the care and recovery process.
Physician Assistants (PAs) – Non-physician clinicians licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a licensed physician.
Oncology Social Workers – Help patients and their families manage the stresses that are associated with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. They also can direct you to the resources you need.
Psychologists – Provide emotional support and guidance to people having to deal with cancer.
Nutritionists – Show you how you can improve nutrition and overcome nutritional problems from treatment, such as decreased or absence of appetite, altered taste, nausea and swallowing difficulty.
Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) – work as part of the care team under the direction of clinical research associates and principle investigators.