The Royal Marsden’s Neuro-oncology Unit provides treatment and care for people with tumours of the brain and spinal cord. The Unit includes specialist neuro-oncology clinical and research staff who work in collaboration with neurosurgeons, neurologists and endocrinologists in the London area and throughout the UK. Both Professor Brada and Dr Saran see patients referred from centres in the UK and abroad. The Unit has available the full range of modern imaging and treatment techniques.
There are two teams, one in the Sutton hospital and on in Chelsea. The latest radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments are available at both sites, together with a full range of support and care services.
Research
The Unit carries out national and international research studies assessing new treatments, including stereotactic radiotherapy technology and novel chemotherapeutic and molecular targeted agents. It is also involved in diagnostic studies using modern MRI techniques.
In partnership with The Institute of Cancer Research, the Neuro-oncology Unit is an internationally recognised centre of research excellence.
Paediatric neuro-oncology
The Royal Marsden, in collaboration with the two regional paediatric neuro-surgical centres (St George’s and King’s College Hospital), has developed a comprehensive South Thames Paediatric Neuro-oncolgy Service and is one of the largest paediatric neuro-oncology units in the UK. There is a close working relationship between the paediatric and adult neuro-oncology teams in the form of weekly joint multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and joint clinics.
Patient care and support
Brain tumours affect people physically, emotionally and socially, and the care they receive must be tailored to their individual needs. All treatments offered to patients reflect this holistic approach; every patient is treated with the sensitivity, compassion and discretion he or she deserves.
All treatment decisions are made in conjunction with the individual patients and their carers. Continuity of care for everyone is enhanced by the allocation of an experienced clinical nurse specialist at the first consultation. The Unit also organises support groups for patients and their carers.
We provide detailed information on the treatment of most brain and spinal cord tumours in the form of comprehensive information sheets.
Multidisciplinary approach to care
An MDT meets weekly to assess individual needs and progress to ensure that everyone continues to receive the most appropriate treatment, care and support.
During radiotherapy a weekly nurse-led clinic offers continuity of care and deals with a variety of issues. After completion of treatment patients are offered either a regular outpatient follow-up appointment or follow-up by community-based teams. The medical team and nursing team are available for help and advice; the contact details of members of staff involved in their care are made available to all patients.
The Unit at a glance
- The aims of the Unit are to deliver the latest high-quality treatment for people with tumours of the brain and spinal cord, and to be at the forefront of international research into the development of new treatments.
- The Neuro-oncology Unit maintains its status as a UK and European leader in the development and evaluation of novel radiotherapy techniques for adults and children with brain tumours.
- Patients may be offered the opportunity to participate in ongoing clinical trials being carried out by the Unit.
- The Unit receives a large number of patients for second opinions.
- The Unit is the national and international leader in stereotactic radiotherapy, which is a high-precision localised radiation particularly suitable for inoperable benign brain tumours such as pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas, acoustic neuromas and meningiomas.
- Stereotactic radiotherapy is part of our clinical routine and is offered either as a single treatment (radiosurgery) or in a number of treatments (fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy) for both adults and children.
- We continue to develop innovative strategies for the treatment of glioma that are more acceptable to patients and carers; this focuses on both more and less intensive treatment approaches.
- Professor Brada is a past President of the European Association of Neuro-oncology and a past Chairman of the NCRI Brain Tumour Group which leads national research studies of new brain tumour treatments.
Consultants
Dr Frank Saran, Consultant Clinical Oncologist (Head of Unit)
Professor Michael Brada, Professor of Clinical Oncology (Academic Lead)