The Division of Neuro-Oncology is dedicated to patient care, research and education encompassing the entire spectrum of nervous system tumors. A multidisciplinary approach to care is practiced and our team includes Neuro-oncology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Neurosurgery, as well as Neuropsychology, Physical Therapy and Speech Pathology, and Social Work.

There is also an emphasis in research in the field involving an intersection of cancer biology, epidemiology, radiobiology, developmental therapeutics, clinical trials and palliative care, with the goal of improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Our division is a regionally recognized Neuro-oncology program providing humane and expert care in an interdisciplinary disease-based hub in the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center .

The chance a person will develop a malignant brain or spine tumor in their lifetime is 1%, and about 25,000 malignant brain or spinal cord tumors are diagnosed each year in the United States. These tumors can have a profound impact on a patient and their family, and specialized care with a Neuro-oncologist at a comprehensive cancer center provides important resources and treatment options that can improve outcomes and help maintain quality of life.

Our program includes providers with expertise in the field of Neuro-oncology and include dedicated Radiation Oncologists, Tumor Surgeons, and Neuro-psychologists that work in concert to treat patients and support their family. We also have strong relationships with our colleagues in Neurology and can provide expertise in symptom management. We provide a patient-centered approach to care that includes shared-decision making in treatment.

Neuro-oncology faculty members are actively engaged in a broad spectrum of research. Clinical trials, particularly investigator-initiated studies, are a major priority, with a focus on translating discoveries from VCU labs to the patient bedside. We participate in industry sponsored studies, as well as National Cancer Institute (NCI) 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 with a dedicated program to better address the neuropsychological impact of brain tumors and their treatment. The research conducted in the LiveNOW Lab, established by Dr. Ashlee Loughan, involves applied science, with the ultimate goal of directly improving the lives of those in brain cancer communities.

A full list of current clinical trials conducted by researchers in the division of Neuro-oncology is available here.

Neuro-Oncology Fellowship

Each year, our division offers advanced clinical training in Neuro-oncology through a 2-year Fellowship. The fellowship program provides extensive education in the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of patients with central nervous system tumors, as well as exposure to and education in clinical trials.

In addition, medical students and neurology residents are integrated into the Neuro-oncology 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.