Join Now
Sign In
Mitchel Berger, MD
MitchelBergerMD (Physician - Neurosurgery (Verified) )| Communities: Brain Cancer | Answers: 8 |
| Member Since: Jul. 2012 |
Ask MitchelBergerMD a question:
0
Cc:
Twitter
Facebook
Professional Statement
Professor and Chairman, Department of Neurological Surgery at University of California, San Francisco
Kathleen M. Plant Distinguished Professor
Director, Brain Tumor Surgery Program
Director, Neurosurgical Research Centers, Brain Tumor Research Center
Dr. Berger's main clinical interests are the treatment of brain tumors in adults and children and of epilepsy related to brain tumors. He has extensive expertise in intraoperative mapping of the brain to identify the sites of motor, sensory, and language function and thereby avoid their involvement or injury during surgery. Dr. Berger is Director of the Adult Hydrocephalus and Shunt Program, and he also practices in the Neuro-Oncology Program and the Radiosurgery Program.
His current research interests involve identifying molecular markers in gliomas as correlates of tumor progression and prognosis. This is done in conjunction with the Molecular Marker Core of the BTRC. He also works in conjunction with Dr. Krys Bankiewicz to test small molecule inhibitors in brain tumors using the drug delivery technique of convection enhanced delivery. He is a co-investigator with Dr. John Park in UCSF's Comprehensive Cancer Center to develop immunoliposome-directed targeted therapy for treating gliomas that express EGF receptors. Other collaborations include functional mapping localization of language pathways in the brain in conjunction with Dr. Robert Knight and the Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program at UC Berkeley. Dr. Berger is currently the Principal Investigator of UCSF's SPORE Brain Tumor Program, funded by the National Cancer Institute and NINDS.
Kathleen M. Plant Distinguished Professor
Director, Brain Tumor Surgery Program
Director, Neurosurgical Research Centers, Brain Tumor Research Center
Dr. Berger's main clinical interests are the treatment of brain tumors in adults and children and of epilepsy related to brain tumors. He has extensive expertise in intraoperative mapping of the brain to identify the sites of motor, sensory, and language function and thereby avoid their involvement or injury during surgery. Dr. Berger is Director of the Adult Hydrocephalus and Shunt Program, and he also practices in the Neuro-Oncology Program and the Radiosurgery Program.
His current research interests involve identifying molecular markers in gliomas as correlates of tumor progression and prognosis. This is done in conjunction with the Molecular Marker Core of the BTRC. He also works in conjunction with Dr. Krys Bankiewicz to test small molecule inhibitors in brain tumors using the drug delivery technique of convection enhanced delivery. He is a co-investigator with Dr. John Park in UCSF's Comprehensive Cancer Center to develop immunoliposome-directed targeted therapy for treating gliomas that express EGF receptors. Other collaborations include functional mapping localization of language pathways in the brain in conjunction with Dr. Robert Knight and the Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program at UC Berkeley. Dr. Berger is currently the Principal Investigator of UCSF's SPORE Brain Tumor Program, funded by the National Cancer Institute and NINDS.
Professional Info
Credential: MD
Primary specialty: Neurosurgery
Medical school: University of Miami
Residency: University of California, San Francisco
Internship: University of California, San Francisco
Fellowship: University of California, San Francisco
Hospital affiliation: University of California, San Francisco
Practice name: Department of Neurological Surgery
Practice address:
505 Parnassus Ave. Rm. M779
San Francisco, CA
94143-0112
Practice phone number: 415/353-2637
MitchelBergerMD Activities
In general, tumors should always be resected to the greatest degree possible. Under certain circumstances in which the patient cannot tolerate the surgery or if it’s only required to find out if the tumor has changed from the original diagnosis then a biopsy would be indicated. Sometimes tumors are located deep inside the brain stem and in that setting a biopsy would be indicated, as well, as opposed to surgery.
New answer by MitchelBergerMD (Physician - Neurosurgery (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
Surgery should be recommended for low-grade gliomas in all cases in all locations except for the following; if the tumor is diffuse or in more than one location i.e. gliomatosis cerebri then only a biopsy is indicated. Even if the tumor is said to be in functional tissue the brain may have reorganized itself and it may not be functional and therefore every low-grade glioma should be operated on with the goal of removing as much as possible using brain mapping.
New answer by MitchelBergerMD (Physician - Neurosurgery (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
This is based upon not only gross observation under the microscope during the course of surgery but also the use of surgical navigation to define the margins based on the preoperative scans as well as the use of intraoperative MRI scanning.
New answer by MitchelBergerMD (Physician - Neurosurgery (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
The standard treatment option is anti-epileptic drugs, however if an individual continues seizures on one or more medications then the use of intraoperative mapping to define the seizure focus and remove it is the ideal treatment for seizures.
New answer by MitchelBergerMD (Physician - Neurosurgery (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
A palliative resection should be always be done in the newly diagnosed or recurrent setting when there is mass effect to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life. A biopsy is not indicated in most circumstances as survival depends on extent of tumor removal in both the newly diagnosed and recurrent setting.
New answer by MitchelBergerMD (Physician - Neurosurgery (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
The best process is to use detailed preoperative imaging with MRI, MR spectroscopy, profusion and diffusion weighted image to define the true extent of the tumor.
New answer by MitchelBergerMD (Physician - Neurosurgery (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
The purpose of mapping is to prevent injury to important functions such as language, motor and sensory function while being able to remove as much tumor as possible.
New answer by MitchelBergerMD (Physician - Neurosurgery (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
The use of intraoperative mapping during surgery for brain tumors should be used when there is any concern about language localization or determining where the motor or sensory function is located in the brain. This involves specific areas in both the left and the right side of the brain.
New answer by MitchelBergerMD (Physician - Neurosurgery (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
MitchelBergerMD's Profile
Newsletters
Sign up for email updates of the latest news, best answers, and featured experts.
Benefits
Custom health, wellness, & medical offers including clinical trials, market research opportunities, & new programs.
Share TalkAboutHealth
To share TalkAboutHealth with friends, type their email addresses here (separated by commas):
From:
Add a personal note here:
Please join TalkAboutHealth and you will be able to ask questions.
Your question to MitchelBergerMD:
2) Background Info (optional): What context or background information is relevant to this request?
Notes:
The more clear and thorough your request, the more likely you will receive support.
Many of our members are learning from this information or english might not be their first language. Please use standard english and spell out all words. For example, use 'you' instead of 'u'.
The more clear and thorough your request, the more likely you will receive support.
Many of our members are learning from this information or english might not be their first language. Please use standard english and spell out all words. For example, use 'you' instead of 'u'.
Newsletters
