Neuro-oncology research opportunities in North America: results of a survey by the AANS/CNS section on tumors.

OBJECTIVE: A primary goal of the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors is to foster neuro-oncology research. The Research Committee was charged with the responsibility of assessing the neuro-oncology research opportunities currently available within neurosurgery residency programs and proposing strategies to enhance these activities.

METHODS: Two separate surveys were mailed to all neurosurgery program directors (112) and neurosurgery residents (872) in North America. The initial mailing was in December 1997 and a follow-up mailing was sent in June 1998 to those who did not respond.

RESULTS: Seventy-seven (69%) program directors and 279 (32%) neurosurgery residents responded to the survey. Neuro-oncology research rotations of varying duration (usually <12 months) were available at most residency programs (87%). Research mentors included equal numbers of neurosurgeons and outside faculty. Funding sources were well distributed among departmental (27%), federal (24%), institutional (22%), and private (19%) sources. Common basic science research areas included molecular biology, gene therapy, and pathology, whereas image-guided surgery was the most frequent area of clinical research. Approximately one-third of the responding residents had completed a neuro-oncology research rotation, mainly in an area of basic science, which resulted in an average of two publications and three presentations at national meetings. The most significant challenges for residents pursuing neuro-oncology research were concurrent clinical responsibilities, lack of faculty mentors, and insufficient research funding.

CONCLUSIONS: Neuro-oncology research opportunities are available within most neurosurgery residency programs and appear to attract a reasonable number of productive trainees. The results of this survey have identified several important ways in which the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors can enhance neuro-oncology research opportunities and a comprehensive strategy for accomplishing these goals is presented.