Services

The MGH Spine Tumor Clinic is dedicated to providing multidisciplinary care for patients with tumors of the spine. At the Clinic, neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, radiation oncologists, and neuro-oncologists collaborate to diagnose and treat patients with these rare tumors. The MGH Spine Tumor Clinic also focuses on research into the cause of spine and spinal cord tumors.

Assistance for patients and their families is provided throughout the course of illness by social service, nutrition services, patient support groups and counseling.

Appointments - Call - 617.724.8770
Identify a Specialist | Checklist | Address
See also Consultations & Referrals and Conferences

Appointments can be made by referring physicians or by patients and families. New patients can be seen within several days.

For patients who already know which of the Center's specialists they wish to see, call 617.724.8770 and ask to speak with that doctor's secretary.

Specialists

For patients who need to IDENTIFY A CENTER SPECIALIST, there are two options:

• Obtain an appointment as a new patient at the MULTIDISCIPLINARY SPINE TUMOR CLINIC which is held in the Center every Thursday afternoon starting at 1 PM. This clinic is attended by specialists from medical neuro-oncology, neurosurgical oncology, and radiation oncology, in addition to a neuro-oncology nurse and a social worker.
• Obtain an appointment with one of the Spine Center's neuro-oncologists. This doctor will be able to provide recommendations that are tailored to the individual's diagnosis and circumstances and will be able to identify which other specialists might be needed. Patients are given the first available appointment with one of the Center's neuro-oncologists.
  

Checklist of Items Needed for Appointment Consultation

The following items, if available, will be very helpful to the Center's specialists as they prepare to see you. These items should arrive at the BTC no less that 48 hours prior to the appointment when possible, and should be delivered by hand or by overnight mail.

• Clinical summary, including all previous surgeries and treatments, as well as current clinical condition of the patient.
• Copies of the most recent MRI or CT scans. It is difficult for us to return scans.
• Operative reports.
• Pathology reports.
• Pathology slides, if possible. (Pathology slides will be returned to the hospital of their origin.)
  

Materials should be sent by overnight mail to:

Spine Tumor Clinic
c/o MGH Brain Tumor Center
100 Blossom Street, Cox 315
Boston, MA 02114 USA

Clinic Address

The Spine Tumor Clinic is located within the MGH Brain Tumor Center in Cox 315 at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Directions to the hospital can be obtained here.

Consultations and Referrals - Call - 617.724.8770
Checklist | Mailing address | International
See also Appointments & 2nd Opinions and Conferences

The Spine Tumor Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital provides consultation services regarding the diagnosis and management of tumors of the spine, spinal cord, and nerves for patients who are unable to travel to the MGH in person. Consultations can be requested by patients or their physicians.

Consultation opinions are performed after review of clinical reports, radiology studies (e.g., MRIs), and pathology materials. After evaluation of the above information, recommendations can be made regarding therapeutic options including:

• Surgery
• Conventional radiation therapy
• Proton beam radiosurgery
• Standard and investigative chemotherapy
  

To provide the best advice, we need the following items in English.

Checklist For Consultations and Referrals

• Clinical summary, including previous surgeries and treatments and present physical condition of the patient.
• Copies of the most recent MRI or CT scans. It is difficult to return films.
• Operative reports
• Pathology reports
• Pathology slides, if possible. (Pathology slides will be returned to the original hospital free of charge.)
• Name, address, and contact number of individual whom we should contact
  

There is a charge for the consultation. Please contact the MGH Spine Tumor Center (Telephone 617.724.8770 or e-mail btc@helix.mgh.harvard.edu) to determine the amount. Payment must be made by check or money order from a U.S. bank, and must arrive with the clinical material. Pathology consultation will be billed separately by the MGH Pathology Department for patients in the USA. For international patients, the pathology charge must be submitted with the material.

Send consultation materials by overnight mail to:

Spine Tumor Clinic
c/o MGH Brain Tumor Center
100 Blossom Street, Cox 315
Boston, MA 02114 USA

International Travel to MGH Spine Tumor Center

For international patients who desire to travel to the MGH Spine Tumor Center, in-person evaluation and procedures can be performed at the patient's convenience.

The Massachusetts General Hospital has established a outstanding International Program. Representatives from the International Patient and Family Center are available to assist international patients and their families with transportation, lodging, interpretation, and other needs.

For information contact the International Program Office at:

Telephone Number: 617.726-2787
Fax Number: 617.726-2543
E-mail:

We welcome the opportunity to continue serving the international community.