Neuro-Oncology at Atlantic Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach Built for Complex Brain Tumor Care

For physicians managing patients with suspected or confirmed brain tumors, the challenge is rarely just diagnosis. It is what comes next.

Brain tumors, whether primary or metastatic, often require coordination across multiple specialties. Neurology, oncology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and supportive care all play a role. Navigating those next steps can be complex, particularly when timing, sequencing, and subspecialty input all matter.

At Atlantic Health’s Gerald J. Glasser Brain Tumor Center, the model is designed to simplify that process.

Nicholas Metrus, MD, a neuro-oncologist at the center, describes the specialty as something that does not fit neatly into traditional categories.

“Neuro-oncology is very much a unicorn of medicine,” he said. “We’re not quite fitting into general neurology, but we also don’t do everything that medical oncology does either.” 

That overlap is where referring physicians often need the most support. 

A Specialty That Bridges Disciplines 

Neuro-oncology sits at the intersection of brain tumors and systemic cancer. It includes both primary brain tumors and neurologic complications related to cancer or its treatment. 

“We specialize in tumors that originate in the brain,” Dr. Metrus explained. “But we also see patients with metastatic brain tumors often. Medical oncologists will ask us what the next step is, or how we can coordinate with other subspecialties to treat somebody with metastatic brain cancer.” 

Patients in this category are not always straightforward. Symptoms can be subtle or atypical. Neurologic changes may not immediately point to a clear cause. 

“One of the perks of neuro-oncology is that we’re looking at things through a very specific lens,” he said. “There are sometimes rare but important medical considerations that can get overlooked if you’re only looking at it through a general neurology or medical oncology lens.” 

That added layer of evaluation can influence both diagnosis and treatment planning. 

A Different Model of Care 

The Gerald J. Glasser Brain Tumor Center is built around the idea that complex cases benefit from coordinated input from the start. 

Rather than scheduling multiple visits across different specialties, Atlantic Health brings those specialists together in a coordinated setting. 

“Instead of saying, on Monday you’ll see a neuro-oncologist, Tuesday a neurosurgeon, and Wednesday radiation oncology, we will all come to the patient in the room,” Dr. Metrus said. “They’re getting to meet the team all at once.” 

This approach helps streamline decision-making and reduces delays between consultations. 

It also creates a more transparent experience for patients. 

“Oftentimes, patients can actually see us interact with each other,” he said. “We’re updating the plan and tweaking it in real time to personalize it just to them. It’s not a cookie-cutter approach.” 

That level of coordination is often associated with large academic centers. At Atlantic Health, it is part of routine care. 

Depth of Expertise Without the Fragmentation 

The Glasser Brain Tumor Center offers the kind of multidisciplinary expertise that physicians expect from a high-level program, delivered in a way that is more accessible for patients. 

“We’re not a major academic affiliated brain tumor center,” Dr. Metrus said. “But we have all of the things that you would ever need from that in a more personalized package.” 

One of the clearest examples is the center’s tumor board. 

“We have neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, neuropathologists, neuroradiologists, and our support team all together,” he said. “We’re making sure that everyone is contributing to a personalized treatment plan.” 

This structure allows for faster alignment across specialties and ensures that each case benefits from multiple expert perspectives. 

For referring physicians, it means patients receive comprehensive review without needing to navigate multiple systems. 

Time and Access Matter 

For patients with aggressive diagnoses such as glioblastoma, timing is critical. 

“Time is of the essence,” Dr. Metrus said. “That’s not time that you want to have to spend going back and forth across the bridge into the city, or going from building to building.” 

The goal is not just speed. It is efficiency with purpose. 

“You want to minimize that time, but you want to maximize the value of that time,” he said. “That’s something we’re doing really well with the multidisciplinary clinic.” 

This has practical implications for referring providers. Faster access to coordinated care can reduce uncertainty, improve patient experience, and support earlier, more informed clinical decisions. 

A True Collaborative Partnership 

One of the most common concerns when referring to a specialty center is continuity. Physicians want to know that they will remain part of the patient’s care. 

Dr. Metrus addresses that directly. 

“You’re never losing a patient,” he said. “You’re just adding another team member.” 

Neuro-oncology is designed to support complex decision-making and management, particularly when neurologic and oncologic issues overlap. 

That collaboration extends across specialties. Medical oncologists, neurosurgeons, and primary care physicians remain involved throughout the patient’s care journey. 

When to Consider Referral 

In many cases, the decision to refer can feel uncertain, especially when symptoms are evolving or not clearly defined. 

At the Glasser Brain Tumor Center, the threshold for collaboration is intentionally low. 

“Referring physicians should consider the Glasser Brain Tumor Center as soon as that idea comes to mind,” Dr. Metrus said. “I’m more than happy to work with a referring physician to figure out if it’s the right situation.” 

Early involvement can help clarify diagnosis, streamline care, and ensure that patients are evaluated through the appropriate clinical lens from the start. 

Refer with Confidence 

If you have a patient with a suspected or confirmed brain tumor, neurologic symptoms in the setting of cancer, or a case that requires additional subspecialty input, the Gerald J. Glasser Brain Tumor Center is available to support you. 

Our team works alongside referring physicians to provide coordinated, multidisciplinary evaluation and clear treatment pathways, while maintaining continuity of care. 

To refer a patient or discuss a case, visit Atlantic Health’s Gerald J. Glasser Brain Tumor Center or call us at 908-522-5914.