Brain tumor patients will now have access to Penn Medicine’s cancer expertise through the new telemedicine, second-opinion program for brain tumors. The Brain Tumor Center is extending the reach and accessibility of its team of dedicated physicians who are focused solely on the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant brain tumors through the first phase of this new program.

“Receiving a brain tumor diagnosis is a life-changing event and it can be particularly difficult when facing multiple treatment choices,” said Steven Brem, co-director of the Brain Tumor Center and director of neurosurgical oncology. “Thanks to the power of telemedicine, we can provide second opinions to eligible patients, without travel, helping patients and caregivers understand their diagnosis and make the right choice for a treatment plan that’s best for them.”

The Brain Tumor Center, which sees the most brain tumor cases in Pennsylvania, is made up of neurosurgeons, neurologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, medical oncologists, social workers, nurse navigators, and nurse practitioners. Treatments include surgery using Penn Medicine’s TumorGlow technology that more precisely defines areas of tumor, the highly precise form of radiation known as proton therapy, and cutting-edge clinical trials including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for the deadly brain cancer glioblastoma.

Through the second-opinion telemedicine program, a Penn neurosurgeon will work with the patient’s local provider to review the patient’s medical history, current diagnosis, and any images available to make a recommendation for the best treatment approach.