Innovative clinical trials at the Norton Healthcare Brain Tumor Center put it on the leading edge of cancer treatment research and resemble the academic centers where our new neuro-oncologist trained.
As a neuro-oncologist with Norton Cancer Institute, Kaylyn Sinicrope, M.D., treats brain tumors and other neurological conditions related to cancer. Dr. Sinicrope said she was attracted to oncology by the deep doctor-patient relationships that are built and the opportunity to improve care for those with brain tumors in particular.
“I see so many patients who have so few treatment options,” said Dr. Sinicrope, who trained at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston; and Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, and who plans to focus her research on glioblastoma, a particularly deadly type of brain tumor.
“Glioblastoma is such a devastating disease. It’s very motivating for me,” she said.
Driven by clinical trials and research to advance care
According to Dr. Sinicrope, innovative clinical trials at the Brain Tumor Center, a collaboration of Norton Neuroscience Institute and Norton Cancer Institute, put it on the leading edge of cancer treatment research and resemble the academic centers where she trained.
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Dr. Sinicrope has been the lead author or co-author on a number of peer-reviewed research papers.
Originally from Modesto, California, Dr. Sinicrope wanted to be a doctor since she was a kid.
“I’ve always had an interest in fixing problems and helping people,” she said.
After graduating from college with a degree in biology, Dr. Sinicrope attended Boston University Medical School and then did her medical internship and residency in neurology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard.
The patient-physician connection
“After going through neurology, I saw the oncologists and how close and connected they were to their patients. I really wanted to have that relationship with patients,” Dr. Sinicrope said.
After serving as chief resident in neurology at Harvard, Dr. Sinicrope did a fellowship in neuro-oncology at MD Anderson.
In addition to treating cancer, Dr. Sinicrope also treats neurological conditions related to cancer. This includes headaches, tremors, seizures, nerve conditions, inflammation of the brain and cognitive troubles. Issues might be as the result of either cancer or treatment.
“Chemotherapy and the disease process can be toxic to the nervous system,” Dr. Sinicrope said.
When deciding where to practice medicine, Dr. Sinicrope said she was impressed with Norton Healthcare’s level of collaboration of multidisciplinary approach, something she said she hadn’t seen outside of academia.
Dr. Sinicrope is married to another physician, Brent J. Sinicrope, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon who did his medical training in Louisville. Together, they have a 7-month-old baby boy. When she’s not working, Dr. Sinicrope likes cooking and spinning.
