INTRODUCTION

Worldwide, patients with tumors of the central nervous system are treated initially by groups of Physicians of different specialties (MDT – Multi-Disciplinary Team), which are responsible for their management from the beginning (diagnosis) to the end (treatment and rehabilitation ).

The University Neurosurgery Clinic of Evangelismos Public Hospital has a long history in the treatment of CNS tumors, with more than five thousand cases over the last 60 years. Taking advantage of this experience we proceeded to create a modern Neuro-oncology team composed of doctors from different disciplines with a common object: tumors of the Central Nervous System. The selection criteria of the members for the team staffing was based on their scientific background and their experience in the field of CNS tumors.

Scientific partners and specialized physicians of all these disciplines analyze each newly diagnosed case, progressing in defining, planning and conducting the necessary laboratory tests to identify the tumor (site, size, histological and molecular profile). Then based on data obtained for each patient, they plan and propose, tailoring the best combination treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, radiosurgery, chemotherapy). Finally they monitor patients with clinical-laboratory tests, record their progress and support their recovery.

The Neuro-Oncology group we set up, is composed of doctors from different healthcare facilities (university hospitals, general hospitals, Public Health System and military medical units), who -having completed the part of basic studies of their specialties- were trained in international hospitals and universities in the object of CNS tumors.

The excellent cooperation between team members, the integrity of their knowledge as a result of their expertise in the subject, and finally the scientific collaboration with European Neuro-Oncology groups, are the basis for ensuring the most modern and effective management of patients with CNS tumors in Greece .

The research part of the team is in constant evolution, with numerous papers in scientific conferences and publications in scientific journals. Research for diagnosis and treatment protocols is in progress, while new guidelines are planned and discussed by members of the group, in order to improve the therapeutic effect, as well as the quality of the patient’s life.