Spine Tumor Center

The Northwestern Neuro-oncology Center also specializes in the treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the spinal cord and spine. Listed below are some of the tumors we commonly treat.

A comprehensive approach, incorporating the talents of specialists from various disciplines and state-of-the-art technology, is employed in the treatment of all benign and malignant tumors of the spine and spinal cord. The surgical team is headed by Dr. Stephen Ondra. Utilizing advanced technology including the stealth navigational instrument, the operative microscope, sophisticated neurological monitoring, and a variety of complex spinal instrumentation, Dr. Ondra and his colleagues are able to not only resect the most complex spinal tumors, but perform extensive reconstructive procedures as well. If necessary, adjuvant conventional beam irradiation is available and, within the next year, it is anticipated that a spinal radiosurgery instrument will be acquired. Medical oncologists provide state-of-the-art, protocol-driven chemotherapy for all malignant tumors.

Clinical Staff
H. Hunt Batjer, MD	Cerebral Revascularization, General Neuro-oncology
James P. Chandler, MD	Surgical Director, Neuro-oncology Program, Brain Tumor Surgery, Cranial Base Surgery
George R. Cybulski, MD	Surgical Treatment of Diseases of the Spine, Spinal Cord Injury, Tumors of the Brain and Spinal Cord
Christopher C. Getch, MD	Cranial Base Surgery, Radiosurgery
Tyler Koski, MD	Spine Surgery, Adult Deformity, Spinal Oncology, Trauma, Sagittal Alignment, Spinal Biomechanics
Robert M. Levy, MD, PhD	Functional and Stereotactic Surgery, Pain Management, Radiosurgery
John C. Liu, MD	Spinal Surgery and Instrumentation, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Osteoporosis, Neuro-oncology
Mary Ellen Maher, RN, MSN	Neuro-oncology Nursing, Brain Tumor Support Group
MaryAnn Marymont, MD	Conventional Radiation and Radiosurgery
Mark E. Molitch, MD	Neuroendocrinology
Kenji Muro, MD	Surgical and Stereotactic Radiosurgical Management of Primary and Metastatic Brain, Spinal Cord, and Spine Tumors
Stephen L. Ondra, MD	Spinal Reconstruction
Gary L. Robertson, MD	Neuroendocrinology
Steven T. Rosen, MD	Director, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
Jack M. Rozental, MD, PhD	Medical Director, Neuro-Oncology Program
Eric J. Russell, MD	Neuroradiology-CT, MRI/MRA, Angiography, Functional MRI, PET Scan
Claudia Tellez, MD	Medical Oncology
Charles F. von Gunten, MD	Medical Oncology

For further information or to schedule a consultation, please call 312/695-8143.