our projects
Project Rocket
Characterizing Glioblastoma Progression, Pseudoprogression, and Radiation Necrosis with Bedside Ultrasound Using Sonolucent Cranial Implants
led by Randy S. D’Amico, MD, FAANS, FCNS from Lenox Hill Neurosurgery.
About Project Rocket
Doctors face a major challenge when treating glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer: distinguishing between true tumor growth and treatment-related changes, such as swelling or damage from radiation. These conditions can look nearly identical on standard imaging, yet require entirely different approaches to care.
Now, a new study is exploring a groundbreaking solution. Researchers are testing the use of special implants made from ultrasound-friendly materials, allowing doctors to use bedside ultrasound to see inside the brain in real-time. This innovative technology could provide faster and more accurate answers for patients.
The project, led by Dr. Randy S. D’Amico and supported by the Glioblastoma Research Organization, aims to identify key ultrasound markers that reveal whether the tumor is growing, healing, or experiencing other changes. By comparing these findings with advanced MRI scans and lab results, the study hopes to prove that this portable and cost-effective method can enhance diagnosis and treatment planning.
If successful, this approach could reduce delays, cut costs, and make advanced imaging tools more accessible, especially in resource-limited settings. It’s a bold step toward improving care for glioblastoma patients and their families, offering new hope in the fight against this devastating disease.
About Dr. D’Amico
Dr. Randy S. D’Amico is a leading neurosurgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, specializing in brain and spinal tumors. As the director of Northwell Health's Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Dr. D’Amico is a key figure in treating patients with metastatic disease, while also driving cutting-edge research focused on brain tumors like glioblastoma.
With a passion for understanding how brain tumors affect the brain’s networks, his work explores innovative approaches like advanced imaging and connectomics. Dr. D’Amico is also deeply involved in education and advocacy, hosting the widely respected “Tumor Talk” webinar in collaboration with the Journal of Neuro-Oncology and the AANS/CNS Joint Tumor Section, and serving as an assistant professor at the Zucker School of Medicine.
Dr. D’Amico studied medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed his neurosurgical training at Columbia Presbyterian. He went on to do a fellowship in neurosurgical oncology at Lenox Hill Hospital/Northwell Health.
Through his research and clinical care, Dr. D’Amico is committed to improving diagnostics, advancing treatment options, and offering hope to patients and families facing complex brain tumor diagnoses.
