Dr. Jeffrey P. Greenfield

Dr. Jeffrey P. Greenfield, MD, PhD, is a pediatric neurosurgeon on the MSK Kids team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, specializing in the care of children with brain and spine tumors. His approach combines compassionate, family-centered care with advanced surgical techniques and scientific expertise. Dr. Greenfield has particular expertise in treating astrocytomas, including low-grade gliomas, and employs intraoperative MRI to precisely distinguish tumor tissue from healthy brain tissue during surgery. He also uses advanced brain mapping techniques to identify regions responsible for language and movement before and during operations, allowing for safe and effective tumor removal while preserving vital neurological function. For tumors at the base of the skull, including craniopharyngiomas and pituitary adenomas, he favors minimally invasive endoscopic approaches through the nose, avoiding external scarring and reducing recovery burden for young patients.

Alongside his clinical practice, Dr. Greenfield directs a research laboratory focused on several interconnected scientific questions in pediatric neuro-oncology. A central area of investigation is the transformation of noncancerous tumors, such as low-grade astrocytomas, into malignant ones. His research has demonstrated that bone marrow-derived cells travel to the brain and promote tumor development, forming the basis for immunotherapy-focused studies in his lab. He also investigates how tumor cells migrate through the brain, using the rare tumor gliomatosis cerebri as a model to understand and ultimately prevent tumor invasion. A third focus involves precision medicine, developing tools and algorithms to tailor treatments to specific mutations identified through biopsy, with the goal of more targeted and effective therapies.

Dr. Greenfield draws daily inspiration from his young patients, and his practice centers on preserving not only their physical health but also their emotional and intellectual development. Every treatment decision is made in close partnership with patients and their families, always with a view toward enabling a happy, productive childhood. Through his dual commitment to surgical innovation and laboratory science, he continues to advance outcomes for children facing some of the most challenging tumors of the brain and spine.