About Our Spinal Tumor Program

The Spinal Tumor Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) brings together the expertise of multiple specialists from Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center to deliver personalized, advanced care for patients with spinal tumors. Members of our multidisciplinary program meet weekly to develop and coordinate care for individual patients.

Surgical Services

At BWH our highly-trained, board-certified surgeons are dedicated to delivering the best outcome possible for every patient. Our spine surgeons have developed specialized surgical techniques to safely treat spine tumors affecting both the spinal vertebrae and delicate spinal cord tissue. We offer a full range of surgical services, from advanced surgical to minimally invasive options. Your surgeon and the care coordination team will consult with you to determine the most appropriate option for your individual situation, and to provide you with information on pre-operative preparation and post-operative care and recovery.

Image-guided Interventions

Our Program, located in the Building for Transformative Medicine, offers the most advanced imaging technology available. This state-of-the-art technology enables our physicians to see the anatomy of the spine and spinal cord more clearly, providing information that is required for accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment planning. Images are reviewed by our neuroradiologists who specialize in interpreting neurological imaging exams.

Radiation Oncology

Our radiation oncologists use the most advanced equipment and techniques to precisely deliver radiation to cancerous areas while avoiding exposure to normal tissues.

Medical Therapies

Some patients with spinal tumors may require chemotherapy or other medical treatments. We offer all medical therapies, including intravenous chemotherapy, delivered in our infusion suites at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, connected to Brigham and Women’s Hospital by pedestrian bridge.

Pain and Palliative Care

Complex symptom management including pain is often seen in patients with malignant spine disease. Members of our pain and palliative care team can help address pain as well as other concerns patients may have as they consider options to address spinal disease. These are often complex and require multiple specialists.

Research

As part of Brigham and Women's Hospital, a leading medical research institution, our physicians continuously seek ways to improve our understanding and care of patients with spinal tumors through innovative research. The co-location of our clinical services and the research programs in the Building for Transformative Medicine allows our patients to more easily be involved in clinical trials if that is an option they wish to explore.

Multidisciplinary Spinal Tumor Care

Our physicians understand that spinal tumors require delicate handling to precisely remove tumors, prevent injury to normal spinal cord tissue, and to preserve a patient’s quality of life. As part of Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, our physicians work as a multidisciplinary team to create an individualized treatment plan for each patient to provide the best possible care and treatment. Our team includes specialists in interventional neuroradiology, neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, pain and palliative care, and radiation oncology.

Multidisciplinary Spinal Tumor Team

Interventional Neuroradiology

Neurosurgery

Orthopaedic Surgery

Palliative Care

  • Dan Gorman, NP, Director of Adult Palliative Care Clinic

Radiation Oncology

Advance Practice Providers

  • Cara L. Richards, MSPAS, PA-C

Learn more about Brigham and Women's Hospital


For over a century, a leader in patient care, medical education and research, with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery.

About BWH