Rick Friedman, MD, PhD, and Marc Schwartz, MD, launched the acoustic neuroma program at UC San Diego Health to treat rare brain tumors.
Here are five takeaways:
1. The specialized program was designed to improve diagnosis and treatment of acoustic neuromas and complex brain tumors. Patients are being accepted into the program.
2. Along with Drs. Friedman and Schwartz the program team includes surgery, radiology, genetics, radiation therapy, audiology and rehabilitation specialists.
3. Acoustic neuromas or vestibular schwannoma represents up to 10 percent of all brain tumors with approximately 3,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
4. Previously, Dr. Friedman served at the Keck Medical Center and Acoustic Neuroma Center at University of Southern California, both in Los Angeles.
5. Dr. Schwartz joins UC San Diego from Los Angeles-based House Clinic where he served as a senior neurosurgeon. He underwent fellowship training in skull base surgery at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland.