10 November 2020
Dr Dorothy Joe has just taken up first Post–CCT Fellowship in Neuro–oncology for Neurologists at King’s College Hospital. Here, she reflects on why more neurologists should consider a specialist interest in Neuro-oncology.
Why Neuro–oncology?
I was lucky in my training because many Neurology trainees have little exposure in Neuro–oncology. I had a taster experience in Neuro–oncology as a junior trainee at the National Hospital for Neurology. During the latter half of my specialist training, I undertook extended rotations in Neuro-oncology at King’s College Hospital as well as the Neurofibromatosis Unit at Guy’s Hospital. I was actively involved as part of the multidisciplinary team, which I enjoyed greatly.
My first step in developing a specialist interest in Neuro-oncology was to audit the management of glioma mimics. I presented the findings with recommendations at the Association of British Neurologists and at the British Neuro-oncology Society in 2019. The audit made me realise that neurologists have much to offer to oncology patients. This contribution will only grow as new treatments, such as immunotherapies, become more prevalent as the new treatments may cause neurological complications.
My Goals
As a Post–CCT Fellow in Neuro–oncology, I have three main goals:
- To improve the overall experience of our brain tumour patients by working closely with the neurosurgeons and oncologists in the Neuro-oncology multidisciplinary team.
- To build clinical experience in managing patients who develop neurological complications as a result of new immunotherapies, e.g. the Chimeric Antigen Receptor T–cells (CAR –T) treatment for haematological cancers. Hopes are high that CAR-T immunotherapy can be extended to solid tumours, such as gliomas. I would like to be part of this.
- To foster better clinical training of Neurologists in Neuro–oncology.
Going Forward
When I heard that Dr Finnerty was setting up a Post CCT Fellowship for Neurologists in Neuro-oncology, I immediately thought that this would be an excellent postgraduate training opportunity for me. In the coming year, I look forward to: increasing my contribution to the established Neuro–oncology service and building closer links with other medical specialities, namely haematologists within the CAR–T group; to improve our understanding of the neurological impact of new immunotherapies; and to promote a wider, united, approach in optimising care for cancer patients.