Patient Information

What to Expect

Prior to your initial visit, our office will work with you to collect all pertinent brain or spine imaging (MRI and/or CT scans), pathology reports, and medical notes, as available.

At your visit, one of our subspecialty-trained neuro-oncologists will review your medical tests and history with you and discuss your diagnosis and treatment options.  Other members of our treatment team, which includes neuro-oncology nurse practitioners and postdoctoral fellows and residents, may also be present and take part is these discussions.

Follow-up visits are arranged with one of our neuro-oncologists or nurse practitioners, or both, depending on each patient’s specific needs. Please rest assured that ample time is provided to address all of your questions and concerns, whether at the initial or follow-up visits. In general, please expect to spend at least 60-90 minutes for your initial visit and 40-60 minutes for follow-ups.

Referrals to our neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and other multidisciplinary team members will be coordinated and expedited, as warranted.

Social Services

Patients who visit our center may also benefit from the social services offered by our licensed clinical social worker, who is available to meet with patients and families after appointments or at a separate time to provide support, referrals, and guidance on the following:

  • Navigating health care systems
  • Questions regarding disability
  • Referral for legal services
  • Home health services
  • Late stage planning including understanding advanced directives and guidance in placement process
  • Supportive counseling

Clinical Activities

Our clinical activities are combined with extensive research efforts that range from basic laboratory research, including the Bartolli Brain Tumor Laboratory, to better understand how the most common brain tumors develop and grow, to applied research focused on developing and testing new treatments for the most common types of brain tumors, to clinical trials of novel therapies in patients.  Our broad network of investigators at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have worked together to pioneer experimental models of brain tumors and the development of several novel treatments, supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health.  In both our patient care and research endeavors, our effort and commitment toward improving the outcome of patients with brain tumors never waivers.

Clincal Trials

If applicable and available to you, our neuro-oncologists can also discuss specific clinical trial options, in conjunction with our team of clinical research coordinators and research nurses.