Christian Grommes is neuro-oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Learn about his expertise in caring for patients with brain tumors. He specializes in the research and treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma.
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"How are you?"
"Good. How are you doing?"
I love my work because I can make a difference for my patients.
"How are you doing today?"
"I'm doing well. Thank you."
Meeting them, seeing them, and guiding them through this rough time.
I'm Christian Grommes. I'm a neuroncologist. I treat patients with brain tumors, in particular patients with primary central nervous system lymphomas.
"Any other symptoms that got better..."
Primary CNS lymphoma is a rare disease where parts of the immune system turn malignant and affect the brain. I'm also doing research in the laboratory, and based on that research, we develop clinical trials. Over the last 10 years, my work and the work here at Memorial Sloan Kettering has changed how we treat primary CNS lymphomas. We have discovered that these lymphomas, particularly in the brain, are driven by a particular pathway that can be targeted.
"Hello."
"Hi."
I'm very excited because we can offer more treatment options to patients, particularly those who are not able to tolerate conventional chemotherapy.
"How is your quality of life?"
Patients come to us for our expertise. We discuss their choices and usually find a path forward that allows them to receive treatment but also maintain their quality of life. I know what it means to be sick, to be scared. I had a brain tumor a decade ago. Luckily, it was benign. So I'm fine-tuned to what patients have to go through, and I think that gives me a unique view and approach to this.
"So far, so good."
"Yeah, so far, so good. Yeah."
I admire my patients -- their toughness, their resilience.
"A pleasure, as always."
I hope that every patient that sees me and my team knows more about their disease and is confident knowing that they got the best care they deserve.
