Learn more about our specialised brain tumour service
The Sydney Brain Tumour Clinic brings together a team of sub-speciality clinicians who each have experience in brain tumour treatment and management.
The Sydney Brain Tumour Clinic helps and offers access to the management of a variety of malignant and benign tumours. Eligible conditions include (but are not limited to):
- Glioma (glioblastoma, astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma)
- Brain metastases (tumours from other sites in the body)
- Meningeal tumours (tumours arising from the surface lining of the brain)
The specialised clinic offerings give you access to an advanced level of care – delivered by doctors with leading research outcomes in NSW.
- Glioma Clinic ususally run weekly by A/Prof Michael Back (radiation oncologist) and Drs Helen Wheeler, Adrian Lee and Ben Kong (medical oncologists)
- Metastatic Brain Cancer Clinic usually run weekly by A/Prof Michael Back and Dr Dasantha Jayamanne
- Meningioma Clinic usually conducted monthly by a multidisciplinary team
Patient-centric, team-based care
Our personalised care model is led by one doctor within a multidisciplinary team of brain tumour trained specialists, who strive to offer patients seamless, evidence-based care, with access available to a neuro-oncology Nurse Practitioner. Treatment protocols using neurosurgery, radiation therapy, systemic and targeted therapies, and immunotherapy will be structured around your individual needs.
You may be offered access to clinical research initiatives and protocols where appropriate to help optimise your outcomes.
What we offer
At Sydney Brain Tumour Clinic we recognise the importance of MRI technology to help understand the nature of brain cancer infiltration and to support with management. Our clinicians collaborate with neuroradiologists and brain tumour diagnostic services at North Shore Radiology. The Brain Cancer Group Imaging Laboratory assists with research initiatives to help improve these imaging modalities.
Metabolic imaging with PET scans has been regarded as an important part of patient care on the North Shore campus for a number of years. Access is provided through the services of North Shore Radiology to novel PET tracers to guide treatment.
A further treatment option of novel targeted therapeutic radioisotope services may be offered, and is available via the GenesisCare theranostics service. The team at the Sydney Meningioma Clinic (at Sydney Brain Tumour Clinic) will be able to help and discuss the most appropriate treatment option with you.
Molecular testing of tumour specimens is becoming an important element towards helping guide treatment management. Your doctor and treatment team will be able to discuss this with you in further detail.
This novel program allows for patients across Australasia to seek additional opinions on their brain tumour management via distance. Background information including MRI and pathology results are completed online via a patient portal, prior to triage with clinicians and a consultation online.
Our specialists work closely with clinician partners including radiation therapists, physicists, and nurses to offer access to high-quality radiation therapy services utilising advanced technology.
A specific Brain Metastasis Clinic has been established to provide specialised care for the wide range of clinical conditions associated with brain metastases. The clinic offers access to stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT), and may be offered to appropriate patients by their doctor as a recommended treatment option.
Access to a range of allied healthcare and support services is offered via GenesisCare, North Shore. Your treatment team will be able to discuss relevant options for you. Additionally, the supportive care services offered at The Brain Cancer Group (TBCG -www.braincancergroup.com.au) including access to the TBCG neuro-oncology Nurse Practitioner, will be able to help assist in facilitating the care of patients during their treatment.
The Sydney Brain Tumour Clinic along with GenesisCare, North Shore may be able to offer access to the GenesisCare network of clinical trials. For further information on clinical trial participation, please speak with your treating doctor.
Meet our neuro-oncology team
A/Prof Michael Back
Radiation Oncologist
Michael has been dedicated to developing and expanding multidisciplinary neuro-oncology services in major university teaching hospitals within NSW and South East Asia for more than 25 years.
Dr Dasantha Jayamanne
Radiation Oncologist
Completing his radiation oncology training at the Crown Princess Mary Hospital at Westmead, DJ went on to pursue a central nervous system tumour fellowship at Royal North Shore Hospital. He has completed a Diploma in Palliative Medicine and has a keen interest in symptom control and patient-centred medicine.
Dr Ben Kong
Medical Oncologist
With strong interests in clinical trials and translational research, Ben is currently an Oncology Clinical Research Fellow at the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre with the Co-operative Group for Neuro-Oncology (COGNO).
Dr Adrian Lee
Medical Oncologist
In addition to his medical oncology role, Adrian is Network Director of Physician Training at Royal North Shore Hospital and GenesisCare. He has clinical and research interests in neuro-oncology, head and neck, and genitourinary cancers.
Dr Helen Wheeler
Medical Oncologist
Helen is a highly-experienced neuro-oncologist who has been offering access to high-quality, and advanced patient care in Australasia, for more than 30 years.
Who we are
Sydney Brain Tumour Clinic was established in 2013 to offer a convenient service for patients with a brain tumour to seek further advice on their management and care. Based on the North Shore campus in Sydney, the service offers access to care at treatment centres across Sydney and the NSW Central Coast.
In August 2021 the Sydney Brain Tumour Clinic was expanded and moved to a new home within GenesisCare, North Shore. This dedicated clinic strives to concentrate resources for management of brain tumours, collaborating with multiple referring neurosurgeons across NSW.
Sydney Brain Tumour Clinic at GenesisCare
North Shore Health Hub
Level 1, Tower A, 7 Westbourne Street, St Leonards NSW 2065, Australia