About Brain and Skull Base Tumor Neurosurgery
Brain tumors are complex problems that deserve expert specialized treatment and multispecialty care. Our team of neurosurgeons at Baylor Medicine are experienced in treating all forms of benign and malignant tumors that occur within the adult brain and at the base of the skull. These kinds of tumors include:
- Acoustic neuromas
- Brain metastases
- Gliomas (such as astrocytomas and glioblastomas)
- Meningiomas
- Pituitary adenomas
Using a multidisciplinary team approach combined with the latest techniques and technologies, we match each patient with the appropriate specialists and develop optimal treatment plans.
Our surgeons are experts in open surgical approaches through a craniotomy as well as endoscopic and minimally invasive approaches that can access brain tumors via a tiny incision or through the nasal passages with no incision at all.
Our team includes physicians from multiple specialties, including: Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology, Otolaryngology, Radiation Oncology, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Procedures
- Microsurgery
- Preoperative and intraoperative brain mapping
- Awake craniotomy
- Stereotactic radiosurgery
- Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery
- Skull base surgery
Meet Our Team
Dr. Ganesh Rao is a board-certified neurosurgeon with a specialty interest in neurosurgical oncology. He serves as the Marc J. Shapiro Professor and Chair for the Department of Neurosurgery. He has experience treating patients with brain and spine tumors with a focus on primary brain tumors including low-grade glioma, glioblastoma, and meningioma, as well as metastatic brain tumors. His primary goal is to provide the best care for his patients. This includes not only the best surgery possible but also compassionate care before and after surgery.
Dr. Ali Jalali trained in neurosurgery and neurosurgical oncology at Baylor College of Medicine affiliated hospitals with an additional fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Jalali’s clinical and surgical focus is on primary and metastatic brain tumors, including those in deep and eloquent locations. He is actively involved in basic and clinical research on brain tumors including lower grade glioma and glioblastoma.
Dr. Akash Patel is director of the Adult Brain Tumor Neurosurgery Program. Dr. Patel trained in neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine affiliated hospitals including MD Anderson Cancer. He has dedicated his professional career to treating patients with benign and malignant brain tumors and to the research program he leads that aims to improves outcome for patients with these tumors. He is an expert on surgery of all brain tumors including gliomas, acoustic neuromas, and meningiomas, and on microsurgical and skull-base operations for the treatment of these tumors.
Dr. Jacob Mandel is fully trained in both neurology and medical neuro-oncology. He is an expert in the non-surgical case that is critical to achieving best outcomes for brain tumor patients. This includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy and experimental therapies available through clinical trials.
Dr. Kathleen Kelly Gallagher is board certified in both head and neck surgery and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. She has special interests in open and endoscopic skull base surgery: Benign and malignant neoplasms of the sinuses and skull base.
Dr. Angela Peng, board certified in both Neurotology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, specializes in the comprehensive medical and surgical management of chronic ear diseases, different types of hearing loss, vestibular disorders, and lateral skull base disorders with emphasis and interests in educating the future of otolaryngology/neurotology.
Dr. Alex Sweeney is an otolaryngologist with special training and expertise in neurotology and skull base surgery. He works closely with the neurosurgeon in our skull base surgery team to provide optimal treatment for tumors of the ear, temporal bone and skull base.