The Clinical Brain Tumour Unit (CBTU) was established at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) to offer high-quality treatment and care to patients with, or suspected of having, any form of brain or spinal tumour. We provide multidisciplinary care for patients who are referred from their GP or from other hospitals. Although brain and spinal tumours are relatively rare conditions they cause significant problems for patients and carers alike and require a variety of different experts to care for patients.
The clinical service is run through a weekly multidisciplinary team meeting (MDM) and works closely with research groups based at the Institute of Neurology and UCL Cancer Institute. Particular research interests include imaging of patients with brain tumours, new radiotherapy techniques including intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and molecular biology of brain tumours. There are close links with the National Cancer Research Network Brain Tumour Group and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).
The service currently includes:
- Comprehensive investigation and treatment for all forms of brain and spinal tumour including brain metastases
- Investigation of patients with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes
- Molecular testing for 1p19q deletions in oligodendrogliomas and MGMT methylation in Glioblastoma Multiforme
- Information, advice, support and counselling for patients and their families, both during investigation, on diagnosis, and long-term follow-up. We also work closely with professionals working in palliative care services.
We have dedicated subspecialty programmes in neuro-oncology and focus on the following tumours in the adolescent and
adult population:
- primary intra-axial
- secondary/metastatic
- skull base
- meningioma
- pituitary
- benign
There are three clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) attached to the Neuro-oncology service:
Emma Townsley - emma.townsley@uclh.nhs.uk
Macmillan Neuro-oncology CNS (high-grade tumours)
Orla McKee - orla.mckee@uclh.nhs.uk
Neuro-oncology CNS (benign, low grade and metastatic tumours)
Marion Lanyon - marion.lanyon@uclh.nhs.uk
Neurosurgical CNS (pituitary tumours)
Most patients will meet a nurse on their first attendance in clinic and will maintain contact with them throughout their treatment pathway. The nurses will act as patients’ advocate during admission, being present during the breaking of bad news and facilitate discharge or transfer out to other care facilities.
Patient aftercare Following surgery for benign tumours, patients may have surgical follow-up outpatient appointments at NHNN before being discharged to the care of their GP. Patients with low-grade tumours may be recalled for interval surveillance brain scanning, which is usually done at NHNN.
Patients with malignant tumours requiring chemotherapy or radiation therapy can be treated at UCLH or transferred to treatment centres nearer to their home. Any patient may contact their clinical nurse specialist after discharge for continuing support or advice.
Following surgery for benign tumours, patients may have surgical follow-up outpatient appointments at NHNN before being discharged to the care of their GP. Patients with low-grade tumours may be recalled for interval surveillance brain scanning, which is usually done at NHNN.
Patients with malignant tumours requiring chemotherapy or radiation therapy can be treated at UCLH or transferred to treatment centres nearer to their home. Any patient may contact their clinical nurse specialist after discharge for continuing support or advice.