Free Brain Tumor Conference Spotlights Treatment, Offers Consults

CINCINNATI—The 2010 Midwest Regional Brain Tumor Conference, a free educational event for patients, caregivers and family members, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at the University of Cincinnati’s (UC) Tangeman University Center.

The conference, titled "Hope, Innovation, Progress, Support,” is presented by the Brain Tumor Center at the UC Neuroscience Institute, in partnership with the National Brain Tumor Society.

A team of nationally recognized faculty members will provide patients, survivors and caregivers with the latest information about treatment and maximizing quality of life. Topics will include the origins of brain tumors, surgery and radiation therapy, the future of brain tumor treatment, nutrition and exercise and financial and emotional resources.

Breakout sessions will focus on brain tumor types, including pituitary adenoma, acoustic neuroma, meningioma, glioma and metastatic.

Fifteen-minute physician consults also will be available. Patients wishing a consult should contact Tara Orgon Stamper at (513) 558-8649. All scans must be received before Wednesday, June 16, to allow time for preparation.

Featured speakers and breakout session leaders include the following members of the UC faculty and UC Brain Tumor Center:

·         Ronald Warnick, MD, director of the UC Brain Tumor Center

·         John Tew, MD, clinical director of the UC Neuroscience Institute

·         Myles Pensak, MD, chair of the UC Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

·         John Breneman, MD, professor of radiation oncology and neurosurgery

·         Olivier Rixe, MD, PhD, professor of hematology oncology

·         Christopher McPherson, MD, director of the division of surgical neuro-oncology

·         Jessica Guarnaschelli, MD, assistant professor of radiation oncology

·         Philip Theodosopoulos, MD, director, division of skull base surgery

·         Lee Zimmer, MD, PhD, director, Endoscopic Cranial Base Center, division of sinus surgery

·         Ravi Samy, MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery

Sandy Hempel, a local educator and brain tumor survivor, will speak about living with malignant glioma.

The program director is McPherson.

Although the symposium is free, participants are asked to register in advance by calling (513) 569-5354, by sending an e-mail to events@UCNeuroscience.com or by registering online at http://www.cincinnatibraintumorcenter.com/btc_registration.