What kinds of doctors treat brain tumors?
The optimal treatment of brain tumors requires a multi-disciplinary team of physicians who work together to bring the most effective treatment to a patient. These physicians include neuro-oncologists; neurosurgeons; radiation oncologists; neuropathologists; neuropsychologists; psychiatrists; nurse practitioners; social workers; and speech, occupational, and physical therapists. The key is that all of these practitioners need to interact together. This typically occurs in brain tumor specialty centers through a weekly meeting, called a “brain tumor board” where ongoing clinical issues are discussed and a consensus on the treatment of each patient is developed.
