Neuro-oncological Cancer Unit

Location: Royal Marsden

Section: NHS Clinical Research Programme

Head of Unit: Dr F Saran MD FRCR

Introduction

The Neuro-oncological Cancer Unit provides research, care and rehabilitation programmes for the entire range of patients with primary tumours of the brain and spinal cord. The research activity ranges from evaluation of new treatments including new chemotherapeutic agents and modern stereotactically guided conformal radiotherapy technology, to diagnostic studies using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The Unit is leading national and international studies on the efficacy of new treatments. Tumours of the brain and spinal cord pose some of the most difficult problems of treatment and care as the disease may affect many critical regions in the central nervous system with severe disturbance of physical and mental function. The Unit's research programme also carries out studies to improve patient care and quality of life.

Relevance to the NHS Research and Development Programme

Gliomas are the fifth commonest malignancy in adults of working age and consequently of serious impact on the working adult population. The Unit's research activities cover a number of priority areas for NHS R&D. It is concerned with the evaluation of new technology, particularly high precision stereotactic conformal radiotherapy and its further development to make it transferable in a practical format to all oncology units. The Unit has developed new, better, as well as cost effective treatment strategies for patients with gliomas, which are being tested nationwide. Research into alternative methods of follow-up to improve cancer care in the form of nurse-led clinics have been evaluated and are now part of everyday practice.

Recent Highlights

• The Unit continues as a UK and European leader in the evaluation of novel radiotherapy techniques for adults and children with brain tumours
• Continued to develop innovative strategies for treatment of gliomas which are more acceptable to patients and carers
• Continued the development and evaluation of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy and reported the results in the treatment of meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas and childhood gliomas which were excellent
• Dr Saran was the lead advisor on adolescent neuro-oncology, as a member of the NICE (National Institute of Excellence) guidance development group for improving outcomes in children and young people with cancer, on behalf of the RCR (Royal College of Radiologists). The final documentation on guidance was published in August 2005
• Dr Saran represented the UKCCSG (United Kingdom Cancer Study Group) in the development group for craniopharyngiomas. This group produced a multidisciplinary consensus statement of best practice on paediatric endocrine tumours published in October 2005 on behalf of the UKCCSG and BSPED (British Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes)
• Professor Brada successfully finished his presidency of ESTRO (European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)
• Professor Brada was elected as Secretary General of FECS (Federation of European Cancer Societies)

Future Aims

The multidisciplinary neuro-oncology research group conducts collaborative research with the Institute of Neurology and St. George’s Hospital (neurosurgery, neurology and pathology). The Unit also collaborates closely with colleagues in the Radiotherapy Department, the Joint Department of Physics and the Cancer Research UK Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research Group. We aim to increase the portfolio of new clinical studies evaluating new therapies, as well as examining established practices.