The Cranial Base Program at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center provides state-of-the-art care for tumors and other disorders affecting the cranial base and the cranio-cervical junction between the brain and the face and neck.  The program brings together experts from the Stephen E. and Catherine Pappas Neuro-Oncology Program and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) and offers an integrated approach and the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for the management of cranial base disorders.  

The Cranial Base program serves as a national and international resource for advanced evaluation and treatment of the full range of cranial base tumors and tumors of the cranio-cervical juntion including:

• Chordoma
• Chondrosarcoma
• Craniopharyngioma
• Meningioma
• Acoustic neuroma
• Pituitary adenoma
• Esthesioneuroblastoma
• Glomus tumor
• Sinonasal carcinoma
• other less common conditions

Experts in the program also offer treatment for non-tumor conditions, such as trauma and central spinal fluid (CSF) leaks 

Patients and referring physicians are encouraged to contact the Cranial Base Program upon initial diagnosis and before any surgery, since some surgical approaches may limit the options for additional care afterwards, such as therapeutic radiation.  Multidisciplinary collaboration in treatment planning enhances continuity of care, allows for complete treatment planning, and may yield better outcomes with fewer side effects.

Services
Cranial Base Program includes:

• Consultations and second opinions
• Complete diagnostic evaluation by world-renowned cranial base neuroradiologists and pathologists
• State-of-the-art imaging including high resolution MRI, functional MRI, PET-CT, and vascular imaging as indicated
• Multidisciplinary conference
  Experts review every case and design treatment plans tailored to the needs of each individual patient
• Clinical trials of new treatment approaches that may benefit selected patients
• Close communication with referring physicians regarding treatments, results, and follow-up recommendations

Advanced Treatments

• Proton therapy
• Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)
• Stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy
• Minimally Invasive Endoscopic surgery
• Image-guided neurosurgery

Support & Coping
Dealing with cranial base disorders can be challenging. Support services including social work, physical and occupational therapy, speech pathology, and nutrition counseling are available to patients and their families.  In addition, all the education, support, and wellness services of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center are available to patients with cranial base tumors.