Neuro-Oncology University of Washington Medical Center

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Neuro-oncology Team / Team Members: Alexander Spence, M.D. Professor of Neurology and Pathology Dr. Alex Spence received his M.D. from the University of Chicago School of Medicine and later received training in Neurology at the Harvard Longwood Program and Neuropathology at Stanford. His clinical interests encompass brain tumor chemotherapy with investigational and conventional drugs. Many recent agents under investigation include Taxol, Temozolomide, Marimastat, RMP7 (Cereport), SU101, phenylacetate and Hypericin. Dr. Spence participates with Dr. Stelzer of Radiation Oncology in an investigational treatment for glioblastoma with high dose radiotherapy based on the imaging findings with positron emission tomography (PET). The University of Washington Neuro-oncology Group participates in group treatment trials with the Southwest Oncology Group and the Puget Sound Oncology Consortium. Several non-investigational brain tumor treatment programs are administered as indicated. Metabolic imaging of brain tumors with PET is another research interest of Dr. Spence. With the Division of Nuclear Medicine we study glucose and thymidine uptake in patients with benign and malignant brain tumors. These studies are designed to improve our understanding of the cancerous behavior, rate of growth and response to therapy of brain tumors. The PET facility in the Division of Nuclear Medicine is the only one available in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Spence along with Drs. Stelzer and Silbergeld and members of the Neuroradiology Division conduct the Neuro-oncology Tumor board weekly to which consultations are directed from not only within but also outside the University of Washington Affiliated Hospitals.