Renowned Neuro-Oncology Surgeon Appointed Co-Director of the Neuro-Oncology Center at Stony Brook
Physician-Scientist, Dr. Yu-Hung Kuo, will focus on providing innovative treatments and increasing clinical trial options for brain tumor patients
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STONY BROOK, N.Y., September 24, 2012 – Yu-Hung Kuo, MD, PhD, a renowned neuro-oncology surgeon, has been appointed Co-Director of the Neuro-Oncology Center at Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, announced Raphael Davis, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Neurological Surgery. Dr. Kuo joins Agnieszka Kowalska, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, in leading the Neuro-Oncology Center.
A specialist in the multimodality treatment of primary and metastatic oncologic lesions affecting the nervous system, Dr. Kuo comes to Stony Brook from Albany Medical Center and is known for his innovative and aggressive approach to treating the most complex neurosurgical cases, particularly ones involving tumors of the brain and pituitary gland. He specializes in minimally invasive alternatives for brain surgery including neuroendoscopy and stereotactic radiosurgery – a knifeless procedure that utilizes focused radiation to treat lesions of the brain. Dr. Kuo’s significant proficiency in difficult procedures enables him to remove tumors of the brain and central nervous system with the least possible damage to the precious tissues surrounding them.
Dr. Kuo is also skilled in performing pain-free, awake craniotomies for tumor resection, a technique also known as “awake surgery.” This advanced procedure, which requires exceptional expertise, allows Dr. Kuo to continuously monitor a patient’s neurologic functions – such as speech and movement – during surgery to minimize the risk of neurologic damage.
“My goal with each neuro-oncology patient is to maximize his or her neurological functions and improve quality of life,” said Dr. Kuo. “Some patient cases are extraordinarily complex and challenging, and I believe we have a team of experts at Stony Brook’s Neuro-Oncology Center to provide optimal care in such cases.”
Dr. Kuo conducts research in collaboration with basic science faculty to understand the mechanisms underlying the genesis and progression of brain tumors. He has also been involved in multiple clinical trials, including a study designed by his team at Albany Medical Center to compare efficacies of different treatments for brain hemorrhages.
“Dr. Kuo’s clinical expertise and innovative work as a physician-scientist will significantly increase treatment options for patients on Long Island afflicted with neuro-oncologic diseases,” Dr. Davis said. “He is an extraordinary addition to our team of neurological surgeons.”
Dr. Kuo received his bachelor of science in biology from the California Institute of Technology, and his medical degree from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He also received a PhD from Columbia University in Cellular, Molecular and Biophysical Sciences. He completed his residency in Neurological Surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital with rotations at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and was subsequently awarded the prestigious Van Wagenen Fellowship by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons to study radiosurgery.
Board Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, Dr. Kuo’s professional memberships include the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the Society for Neurosurgery. He has published widely in journals such as Neuron, PLoS One, Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, Journal of Infectious Disease, and Neuropathology.
Dr. Kuo sees patients at the Department of Neurological Surgery’s outpatient facility in Tech Park in Setauket, and at the Stony Brook University Cancer Center. He is an integral member of the multidisciplinary Neurologic Oncology team at the Cancer Center, which includes neurosurgeons, medical neuro-oncologists and radiation oncologists.
To arrange an appointment with Dr. Kuo, please call (631) 444-1213(Option #1).
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About Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute:
Composed of 10 highly specialized centers plus a core neurosciences program, Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute continues to recruit top physicians and invest in latest-generation technology. Its Cerebrovascular and Stroke Center features highly advanced technology, a biplane angiography suite equipped with the Siemens Artis® zee with syngo DynaCT™neuro systems, and has a world-class neuroendovascular replicator and research laboratory. In addition, the Center’s physicians have been among the first in North America to perform groundbreaking procedures. To learn more, visitwww.neuro.stonybrookmedicine. edu.
© Stony Brook University 2012
