Brain Tumor Experts

Whether benign or malignant, brain tumors require expert care in many medical disciplines. Mount Sinai’s brain tumor program is comprehensive, with physicians and staff who have dedicated their careers to the initial diagnosis, second opinions, management, and treatment of patients living with brain tumors. Working collaboratively to give you the best care possible, we coordinate and deliver a wide range of services to meet your unique diagnostic, clinical, and emotional needs.

Our brain tumor neurosurgeons, oncologists, neuro-oncologists, residents, fellows, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, radiation oncologists, neuropathologists, neuroradiologists, and researchers meet weekly to discuss cases, plan treatments, coordinate care, and monitor the progress of complex cases. The most advanced technology is always utilized and depending on your diagnosis, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial.

Neurosurgeons

Neurosurgeons specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of brain and spinal cord tumors. Our neurosurgeons include:

• Joshua B. Bederson, MD
• Isabelle M. Germano, MD, MBA
• Saadi Ghatan, MD (Pediatrics)
• Peter F. Morgenstern, MD (Pediatrics)
• Kalmon D. Post, MD
• Benjamin I. Rapoport, MD, PhD
• Raj K. Shrivastava, MD
• Raymund L. Yong, MD
• Hongyan “Jenny” Zou, MD, PhD

Otolarynogologists
Very often, neurosurgeons and otolaryngologists (ENTs) collaborate in the surgical resection and later management of tumors in the interface of the brain, head, or neck region, including those in the ear canal, eyes, mid-face, or in the pituitary gland. Transnasal endoscopic surgery is achieved through the support of surgical ENTs. After surgery, depending on where the brain tumor was located, ENTs support in the rehabilitation of patients with auditory, swallowing, speech, or complications.

Radiation Oncologists
Radiation oncologists specialize in providing radiation therapy to tumor patients by itself or in combination with chemotherapy, surgery, and/or hormone treatment. Using precisely focused high-intensity beams to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, Mount Sinai’s radiation oncologists offer various types of radiation therapy and develop your treatment plan to best address your type and stage of brain cancer.

Neuro-oncologists
With expert specialization in both neurology and cancer (oncology), Mount Sinai neuro-oncologists design and manage treatment plans for each brain tumor or brain cancer patient, including those who have neurological complications from cancer. Working closely with the neurosurgeon, they oversee additional treatment opportunities including chemotherapy, target therapy, angiogenesis inhibitors, immunotherapy, biological response modifiers, and novel drugs.

Neuroradiologists
A neuroradiologist performs radiographic studies to assess the extent of the disease and the effectiveness of our treatment. Our expert neuroradiologists provide the most innovative diagnostic imaging protocols, including magnetic resonance imaging with three Tesla scanners; magnetic resonance spectroscopy; and diffusion, perfusion, diffusion tensor, and functional imaging. Our radiologists also perform digital angiography, positron emissions tomography, and other nuclear medicine studies.

Neuroanesthesiologists
Requiring advanced skill and expertise delivering anesthesia to patients undergoing brain surgery, our neuroanesthesiologists specialize in delivering the best operating conditions for your neurosurgeon in the operating room. During your surgery, the neuroanesthesiologists maximize proper brain flow, oxygen levels, and organ protection, and provide pain management before and after your surgery. Sometimes surgeries are even performed awake, requiring special monitoring, sedatives, and expertise.

Neuro-ophthalmologists
Mount Sinai’s neuro-ophthalmology experts specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of visual problems resulting from brain tumors. These specialized ophthalmologists are often the physicians who give the initial diagnosis of a brain tumor, when patients complain of vision complications, but are also critical to the optical management of patients after surgery. Using sophisticated techniques and neuroimaging of the brain and orbits, brain tumor patients may need to address loss of vision and double vision. 

Craniofacial and Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
Depending on the location of the incisions, our plastic surgeons are dedicated to improving your appearance in the head, face, and neck. Experts in not only the aesthetics, but also the unique function in the skull, facial bones, cartilage, and soft tissues, rest assured that you’ll look your best after even the most invasive, complex surgery.

Neuro-endocrinologists
Neuro-endocrinologists are specifically skilled in the evaluation and treatment patients with acromegaly, Cushing's disease, prolactin-secreting, and non-secreting tumors of the pituitary, as well as other lesions in the region of the pituitary. Neuro-endocrinologists closely collaborate with neurosurgeons in the management pituitary tumors, offering options including surgical resection, radiosurgery, radiation therapy, and post-medical management.

Neuropsychiatry
Difficulties with memory, concentration, cognitive function, or mood, may be caused by the tumor itself or by the side effects of treatment. Psychiatrists, specializing in the management of those who have or had a tumor, work with patients to improve their mental care. 

Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy common treatment for primary and metastatic brain tumors. In addition to conventional radiation, we also offer intensity modulated radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery.

Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation provides state-of-the art facilities for inpatients and outpatients focused specifically on the needs of brain tumor patients, such as motor, speech, and cognitive skills.

Spiritual counseling
Spiritual counseling is available in our chapels. We have chaplains representing all faiths and denominations.