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Franco DeMonte, M.D., F.R.C.S. (C), F.A.C.S.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Adjunct Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

Dr. Franco DeMonte is the Vice-Chairman of the Departmentof Neurosurgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and has been a member of the department since 1992. He also serves as the Medical Director of the Brain and Spine Center at MD Anderson. Dr.DeMonte is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Mary Beth Pawelek Chair in Neurosurgery and the University Cancer Foundation Faculty Achievement Award in Patient Care. He is the past President of the North American Skull Base Society and the past President of the Houston Neurological Society. Dr. DeMonte is a member of the editorial board of several medical journals. He is frequently requested as a national and international lecturer and instructor. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, written over 30 book chapters and edited 4 books. Dr. DeMonte is a noted leader in the field of neurosurgery and head and neck surgery with particular expertise in the management of tumors of the skull base.


Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1985 University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Medicine, London, Ontario, Canada, MD, Medicine

Postgraduate Training

10/1991-9/1992 Clinical Fellowship, Cranial Base Surgery, Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, (Fellowship in Skull Base Surgery)
7/1986-6/1991 Clinical Residency, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
6/1985-6/1986 Comprehensive Surgical Intern, Victoria Hospital, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Board Certifications

11/1995 Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons
9/1991 Royal College of Surgeons of Canada Certification in Neurosurgery

Honors and Awards

2005 Faculty Achievement Award in Patient Care, Recognized for outstanding accomplishments in patient care at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. ($35,000)
2003 Mahaley Clinical Research Award, Joint Section on Tumors of The Congress of Neurological Surgeons and The American Association of Neurological Surgeons
1997-present The Best Doctors in America

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Nayar VV, DeMonte F, Yoshor D, Blacklock JB, Sawaya R. Surgical approaches to meningiomas of the lateral ventricles. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 112(5):400-5, 6/2010. e-Pub 2/2010. PMID: 20197209.
2. Levine NB, DeMonte F. Functional Outcome in the Neurosurgical Patient and Its Impact on Quality of Life. Skull Base 1(20):19-22, 1/2010. PMID: 20592853.
3. Hentschel SJ, Vora Y, Suki D, Hanna EY, DeMonte F. Malignant Tumors of the Anterolateral Skull Base. Neurosurgery 66(1):102-12, 1/2010.
4. Hanna E, DeMonte F, Ibrahim S, Roberts D, Levine N, Kupferman M. Endoscopic resection of sinonasal cancers with and without craniotomy: oncologic results. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 135(12):1219-24, 12/2009. PMID: 20026819.
5. Kupferman M, Demonte F, Holsinger FC, Hanna E. Trans-antral Robotic Access to the Pituitary Gland. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 141(3):413-415, 9/2009. PMID: 19716023.
6. Hanasono MM, Goel N, DeMonte F. Calvarial Reconstruction with Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Implants. Ann Plast Surg 62(6):pp. 653-655, 6/2009. PMID: 19461279.
7. Kim SS, McCutcheon IE, Suki D, Weinberg JS, Sawaya R, Lang FF, Ferson D, Heimberger AB, DeMonte F, Prabhu SS. Awake craniotomy for brain tumors near eloquent cortex: Correlation of intraoperative cortical mapping with neurological outcomes in 309 consecutive patients. Neurosurgery 64(5):836-846, 5/2009. PMID: 19404147.
8. Feiz-Erfan I, Spetzler RF, Horn EM, Porter RW, Beals SP, Lettieri SC, Joganic EF, DeMonte F. Proposed Classification for the Transbasal Approach and Its Modifications. Skull Base 18(1):29-47, 1/2008. PMID: 18592024.
9. Feiz-Erfan I, Suki D, Hanna E, DeMonte F. Prognostic Significance of Transdural Invasion of Skull Base Malignancies in Patients Undergoing Craniofacial Resection. Neurosurgery 61(6):1178-1185, 12/2007. PMID: 18162896.
10. Hanna EY, Holsinger C, DeMonte F, Kupferman M. Robotic Endoscopic Surgery of the Skull Base: A Novel Surgical Approach. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 133(12):1209-14, 12/2007. PMID: 18086961.
11. Lupinetti AD, Roberts DB, Williams MD, Kupferman ME, Rosenthal DI, DeMonte F, El-Naggar A, Weber RS, Hanna EY. Sinonasal Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Experience. Cancer 110(12):2726-31, 12/2007. PMID: 17960615.
12. DeMonte F, Hanna E. Transmaxillary exploration of the intracranial portion of the maxillary nerve in malignant perineural disease. J Neurosurg 107(3):672-677, 9/2007. PMID: 17886571.
13. Dagnew E, Langford LA, Lang FF, DeMonte F. Papillary tumors of the pineal region: case report. Neurosurgery 60(5):E953, 2007.
14. Esmaeli B, Golio D, Kies M, and DeMonte F. Surgical management of locally advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 22(5):366-370, 2/2006.
15. Backous DD, DeMonte F, El-Naggar A, Wolf P, Weber RS. Craniofacial resection for nonmelanoma skin cancer of the head and neck. The Laryngoscope 115(6):931-937, 6/2005. PMID: 15933497.
16. Diaz EM, Johnigan RH, 3rd, Pero E, El-Naggar AK, Roberts DB, Barker JL, DeMonte F. Olfactory neuroblastoma: The 22-year experience at one comprehensive cancer center. Head and Neck 27(2):138-49, 2/2005. PMID: 15654688.
17. Hanbali F, Tabrizi P, Lang FF, DeMonte F. Tumors of the skull base in children and adolescents. J Neurosurg (Pediatrics 2) 100:169-178, 2/2004. PMID: 14758945.
18. Hentschel SJ, Nader R, Suki D, Dastgir A, Callender DL, DeMonte F. Craniofacial Resections in the Elderly: An Outcome Study. J Neurosurg 101(6):935-943, 2004. PMID: 15597754.
19. Soyuer S, Chang EL, Selek U, Shi W, Maor MH, DeMonte F. Radiotherapy after surgery for benign cerebral meningioma: Running head; Radiotherapy for benign cerebral meningioma. Radiotherapy and Oncology, Apr 71(1):85-90, 2004. PMID: 15066300.
20. Prabhu SS, Diaz E, Sturgis EM, Myers JN, Suki D, DeMonte F. Section on tumors: Mahaley Clinical Research Award: Primary sarcomas of the skull base: an analysis of 63 cases. Clin Neurosurgery 51:340-2, 2004. PMID: 15571164.
21. Hentschel SJ, DeMonte F. Olfactory groove meningiomas. Neurosurg Focus 14(6):Article 4, 1-5, 2003. PMID: 15669789.
22. DeMonte F, Tabrizi P, Culpepper SA, Suki D, Soparkar CNS, Patrinely JR. Ophthalmological outcome after orbital resection in anterior and anterolateral skull base surgery. J Neurosurg 97:851-6, 10/2002. PMID: 12405373.
23. Cohen ZR, Marmor E, Fuller GN, DeMonte F. Misdiagnosis of olfactory neuroblastoma. Neurosurgical Focus 12(5):Article 3, 6pp, 5/2002. PMID: 16119901.
24. Lacroix M, Abi-Said D, Fourney D, Gokaslan Ziya, Weiming S, DeMonte F, Lang F, McCutcheon I, Hassenbusch S, Holland E, Hess K, Michael C, Miller D, Sawaya R. A multivariate analysis of 416 patients with glioblastoma multiforme: prognosis, extent of resection, and survival. J Neurosurg 95(2):190-198, 2001. PMID: 11780887.
25. Chang DW, Langstein HN, Gupta A, DeMonte F, Do KD, Wang X. Reconstructive Management of Cranial Base Defects Following Tumor Ablation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 107(6):1346-1357, 2001.
26. Michael CB, Gokaslan ZL, DeMonte F, McCutcheon IE, Sawaya R, Lang FF. Surgical resection of calvarial metastases overlying dural sinuses. Neurosurgery 48(4):745-755, 2001. PMID: 11322434.
27. Lang FF, Olansen NE, DeMonte F, Gokaslan ZL, Holland EC, Kalhorn C, Sawaya R. Surgical resection of intrinsic insular tumors: complication avoidance. J Neurosurg 95:638-50, 2001. PMID: 11596959.
28. DeMonte F, Diaz E, Jr, Callender D, Suk I. Transmandibular, circumglossal, retropharyngeal approach for chordomas of the clivus and upper cervical spine. Neurosurgical Focus 10(3):1-5, 2001. PMID: 16734402.
29. Lang FF, Macdonald KO, Fuller GN, DeMonte F. Primary extradural meningiomas: a report on nine cases and review of the CT-era literature. J Neurosurg 93:940-950, 2000. PMID: 11117866.
30. DeMonte F, Ginsberg LE, Clayman GL. Primary malignant tumors of the sphenoid sinus. Neurosurgery 46(5):084-1092, 2000. PMID: 10807240.
31. Eisenberg MB, Al-Mefty O, DeMonte F, Burson GT. Benign nonmeningeal tumors of the cavernous sinus. Neurosurgery 44(5):949-955, 1999. PMID: 10232527.
32. Perez-Cruet MJ, Burke JM, Weber RS, DeMonte F. Aggressive fibromatosis involving the cranial base in children. Neurosurgery 43:1096-1102, 1998. PMID: 9802853.
33. Eng DY, DeMonte F, Ginsberg LE, Fuller GN, Jaeckle K. Craniospinal dissemination of central neurocytoma. Report of two cases. J Neurosurg 86:547-552, 1997. PMID: 9046315.
34. DeMonte F, Harrison RL, Al-Mefty O. Dislocation of the pituitary gland by sphenocavernous meningiomas. Surgical Neurology 47:43-46, 1997. PMID: 8986165.
35. DeMonte Al-Mefty O. "Mini-petrosal" approach for large acoustic neuromas. Techniques. Neurosurgery 3:150-153, 1997.
36. Kaba SE, DeMonte F, Bruner JM, Kyritsis AP, Jaeckle KA, Levin V, Yung WKA. The treatment of recurrent unresectable and malignant meningiomas with interferon-alpha-2B. Neurosurgery 40:271-275, 1997. PMID: 9007858.
37. McCutcheon IE, Blacklock JB, Weber RS, DeMonte F, Moser RP, Byers M, Goepfert H. Anterior transcranial (craniofacial) resection of tumors of the paranasal sinuses: surgical technique and results. Neurosurgery 38:471-480, 1996. PMID: 8837798.
38. DeMonte F. Surgical treatment of anterior basal meningiomas. J Neurooncol 29:239-248, 1996. PMID: 8858530.
39. Younis GA, Sawaya R, DeMonte F, Hess KR, Albrecht S, Bruner JM. Aggressive meningeal tumors: Review of a series. J Neurosurg 82:17-27, 1995. PMID: 7815129.
40. Clayman GL, DeMonte F, Jaffe DM, Schusterman MA, Weber RS, Miller MJ, Goepfert H. Outcome and complications of extended cranial-base resection requiring microvascular free-tissue transfer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery 121:1253-1257, 1995. PMID: 7576471.
41. DeMonte F, Smith HK, Al-Mefty O. Outcome of aggressive removal of cavernous sinus meningiomas. J Neurosurg 81:245-251, 1994. PMID: 8027808.
42. Origitano TC, Al-Mefty O, Leonetti JP, DeMonte F, Reichman OH. Vascular considerations and complications in skull base surgery. Neurosurgery 35:351-363, 1994. PMID: 7800126.
43. DeMonte F, Zelby AS, Al-Mefty O. Hearing impairment resulting from a pineal region meningioma. Neurosurgery 32:665-668, 1993. PMID: 8474658.
44. DeMonte F, Al-Mefty O. Ruptured dermoid tumor of the cavernous sinus associated with the syndrome of fat embolism. J Neurosurg 77:312-315, 1992. PMID: 1625022.
45. DeMonte F, Peerless SJ, Rankin RN. Carotid transluminal angioplasty with evidence of distal embolization. J Neurosurg 70:138-141, 1989. PMID: 2521246.

Invited Articles
1. St. Clair EG, DeMonte F. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, Part II: Assessing Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatments and Management. Contemporary Neurosurgery 32(1):1-6, 1/2010.
2. St. Clair EG, DeMonte F. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, Part I: Clinical and Radiologic Evaluation. Contemporary Neurosurgery 31(26):1-5, 12/2009.
3. Viswanathan A, DeMonte F. Malignant Meningiomas: Management and Outcome. Contemporary Neurosurgery 30(25):pp. 1-7, 12/2008.
4. DeMonte F. Evolving Role of Skull Base Surgery for Patients with Low and High Grade Malignancies. AANS/CNS Section on Tumors. 20th Anniversary, Special Issue J of Neuro-Oncology, Volume 69:191-198, 2004. PMID: 15527090.

Book Chapters
1. DeMonte F, Dannenbaum MJ and Hanna EY. Clival Tumors. In: Comprehensive Management of Skull Base Tumors. Ed(s) Hanne and DeMonte F. Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. New York, NY, 2008. ISBN: 0-8493-4054-3.
2. Viswanathan A, DeMonte F. Meningioma. In: Comprehensive Management of Skull Base Tumors. Ed(s) Hanna EY and DeMonte F. Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. New York, NY, 2008. ISBN: 0-8493-4054-3.
3. Hanna EY, Kupferman M and DeMonte F. Surgical Management of Tumors of the Nasal Cavity, Paranasal Sinuses, Orbit, and Anterior Skull Base. In: Comprehensive Management of Skull Base Tumors. Ed(s) Hanna E, DeMonte F. Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. New York, NY, 2008. ISBN: 0-8493-4054-3.
4. DeMonte F. Surgically Curable Brain Tumors of Adults. In: Tumors of the Brain and Spine. Ed(s) DeMonte F, Mahajan A, Gilbert M, McCutcheon IE. Springer: New York, 53-92, 2007.
5. Feiz-Erfan I, Lettieri SC, Spetzler RF, Beals SP, Joganic EF, DeMonte F. Transmandibular Approaches to the Skull Base. In: Badie B (ed). Neurosurgical Operative Atlas 2E: Neuro-oncology. 2nd Edition. Ed(s) Badie B. Thieme: New York, 368, 2006. ISBN: 9781588903402.
6. DeMonte F, Fourney DR, Garden AS, Diaz EM. Carcinoma of the Paranasal Sinuses and Olfactory Neuroblastoma. In: Berger MS, Prados MD, (eds). Textbook of Neuro-Oncology. Ed(s) Berger MS, Prados MD,. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders, 1st Edition, Chapter 50 pp 371-384, 2005.
7. DeMonte F, Hanbali F, Ballo MT. Skull Base Metastasis. In: Berger MS, Prados MD, (eds). Textbook of Neuro-Oncology, 1st Edition. Ed(s) Berger MS, Prados MD. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders, Chapter 61, pp 466-475, 2005.
8. Fox B, Lal S, DeMonte F. Surgically Curable Brain Tumors of Adults. In: Noseworthy J (ed). Neurological Therapeutics: Principles and Practice. 2nd Edition, 2nd Edition. Martin Dunitz: London, (submitted)., 2005. ISBN: -13: 9781841845838.
9. Hanbali F, DeMonte F. Metastatic Tumors of the Skull Base. In: Sawaya R (ed). Intracranial Metastases: Current Management Strategies. Ed(s) Sawaya R. Elmsford, NY: Blackwell/Futura, pp 415-429, 2004.
10. Fourney DR, DeMonte F. Neoplasms of the Paranasal Sinuses. In: Winn HR (ed). Youmans Neurological Surgery, Vol. 1. 5th Edition. Ed(s) Winn HR. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders Co., 1311-1331, 2004.
11. Chernov M, DeMonte F. Skull Base Tumors. In: Levin, VA (ed). Cancer in the Nervous System, 2nd Edition. Ed(s) Levin VA. New York: Oxford University Press, pp 300-319, 2002.
12. DeMonte F, Marmor E, Al-Mefty O. Meningiomas. In: Kay AH, Laws ER (eds). Brain Tumors, 2nd Edition. Ed(s) Kaye AH, Laws ER. London: Churchill Livingstone, pp 719-750, 2001.
13. DeMonte F, Al-Mefty O. Cavernous sinus meningioma. Management with carotid preservation. In: Eisenberg M, Al-Mefty O (eds). The Cavernous Sinus. Ed(s) Eisenberg M, Al-Mefty O. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, pp 251-261, 2000.
14. DeMonte F,. Clival Chordomas. In: Loftus C. Textbook of Neurological Surgery Principals and Practice, (eds). Ed(s) Batjer H, Loftus C. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, pp 1471-1480, 2000.
15. DeMonte F. Malignancies invading the cavernous sinus. In: Eisenberg M, Al-Mefty O (eds). The Cavernous Sinus. Ed(s) Eisenberg M, Al-Mefty O. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, pp 329-338, 2000.
16. DeMonte F, Al-Mefty O. Tumors of the skull, meninges, and cranial nerves. In: Grossman R, Loftus C (eds). Principles of Neurosurgery. Ed(s) Grossman R, Loftus C. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, pp 445-468, 1999.
17. DeMonte F, Al-Mefty O. Management of meningiomas. In: Tindall GT, Cooper PR, Barrow DL (eds). The Practice of Neurosurgery. Ed(s) Tindall GT, Cooper PR, Barrow DL. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, pp 691-714, 1996.
18. DeMonte F, Al-Mefty O. Neoplasms and the cranial nerves of the posterior fossa. In: Barrow DL (ed). Surgery of cranial Nerves of the Posterior Fossa, 13. American Association of Neurological Surgeons Neurosurgical Topics Book, 253-274, 1993.

Books (edited and written)
1. DeMonte F, Mahajan A, Gilbert M, McCutcheon IE, Ed(s). Tumors of the Brain and Spine. In: M.D. Anderson Cancer Care Series. Springer: New York, 2007.
2. DeMonte F. (ed) Malignant Tumors of the Skull Base. 12. Neurosurgical Focus, 2002.
3. DeMonte F, Ligon BL, Sawaya R:. (guest eds) Special Issue: Meningiomas. 29, 3. J Neuro-Onc, 1996.

Last updated: 12/18/2012