The Division of Neuro-Oncology is dedicated to patient care, research and education. Research in the field is a multidisciplinary intersection of cancer biology, epidemiology, radiobiology, developmental therapeutics, clinical trials and palliative care. Education in neuro-oncology benefits patients and their loved ones, lifelong-learning medical professionals and other members of the health care profession whose contributions to the holistic care of these patients cannot be overestimated, such as those in pharmacy, nursing, social work, psycho-oncology and speech, physical and occupational therapies.

Our division is an internationally recognized neuro-oncology program providing humane and expert care in an interdisciplinary disease-based hub in the VCU Massey Cancer Center (MCC).

We integrate cutting-edge translational research data into clinical care while training the next generation of neuro-oncology clinicians and clinician investigators.

Cancer is common. It remains the second most common cause of mortality in the US, accounting for nearly one out of every four deaths. But despite the need, there are still relatively few physicians, researchers and teachers in the field of neuro-oncology. The following statistics reveal a discrepancy between the extent and severity of the problem and the number of healthcare professionals adequately equipped to provide car, perform research and educate:

Approximately 1,762,450 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2019
About 606,880 Americans are projected to die of cancer this year – that's nearly 1,700 people each day
About 24,000 patients will develop primary malignant brain tumors, and up to 200,000 will develop brain metastases from systemic cancer
In Virginia, an estimated 650 patients will be diagnosed with brain cancer this year, of whom about 440 will die
Of the 144,000 Virginians predicted to have survived up to five years with cancer by the end of 2019, many will suffer neurological consequences of their cancer therapies
Of the more than 36,000 members of the American Academy of Neurology, the largest professional association of neurologists in the U.S., fewer than 400 belong to the neuro-oncology section
Only 236 neuro-oncologists are board-certified by the United Council of Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS)
Attendance at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the largest medical oncology conference in the world, was 42,000 in 2019. Yet attendance at the 2017 World Federation of Neuro-oncology meeting was only 917.

Neuro-oncology faculty members are actively engaged in a broad spectrum of research projects. Clinical trials, particularly investigator-initiated studies, are a major priority. We participate in National Cancer Institute cooperative group studies sponsored by NRG Oncology, Alliance Cancer Specialists and ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group.

We also have a focus on cancer complications research (including chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy) and the neuropsychological impact of brain tumors and their treatment.

Neuro-Oncology Fellowship

Medical students, neurology residents and hematology-oncology fellows are integrated into the neuro-oncology program.

Every year, approximately 50 VCU M3 students spend one week each in the Dalton Oncology Clinic, a highly desirable elective during their four-week neurology rotation.

All neurology residents rotate through neuro-oncology clinic. PGY-4 residents who are interested in neuro-oncology are invited to participate in a one-month elective during which they will attend clinic three days per week. Faculty continue their ongoing education by advising and mentoring trainees and participating in academic reinforcement programs sponsored by the Office of Faculty Affairs at the School of Medicine.

The division is home to a UCNS-accredited neuro-oncology fellowship program.

About the Chief

Mariza Daras received her medical degree from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed her Neurology residency at Duke University Hospital followed by a Neuro-oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Prior to coming to VCU, she served as faculty at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, as well as the division of Neuro-oncology at the University of California San Francisco where she spearheaded a CNS metastasis multidisciplinary program.

Dr. Daras’ research interests include the development of novel therapeutics in the treatment of primary and metastatic tumors, and specifically in the immunotherapeutic and combinatorial strategies.