Doctors Who Treat Astrocytomas

A patient diagnosed with an astrocytoma brain tumor should be treated by a multidisciplinary team that includes neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuro-oncologists, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, radiation oncologists, physical therapists, social workers, and other specialists with advanced training and extensive experience in brain tumors. Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery offers the services of some of the top neurosurgeons specializing in brain tumors as well as access to a full range of specialists in all the disciplines a patient needs.

(See also: Doctors Who Treat Brain Tumors in Children.)

Neurosurgeons who specialize in brain tumors include:

Philip E. Stieg, PhD, MD, the chair and neurosurgeon-in-chief of Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, leads the cerebrovascular team and treats many brain tumors. Dr. Stieg is one of the top neurosurgeons in the nation, having been named one of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly each year since that designation was created more than two decades ago. Dr. Stieg has developed an international reputation in the area of cerebrovascular disorders and brain tumor surgery; his work has been broadly published, and he has contributed to groups such as the Joint Sections of Cerebrovascular Surgery of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (AANS/CNS). He is the past President of the Society of University Neurosurgeons and has received multiple awards and honors for his work. (Read more about Dr. Stieg.)

Theodore H. Schwartz, MD, specializes in the surgical treatment of brain tumors, pituitary tumors, and epilepsy surgery using the latest techniques in computer-guided surgical navigation, minimally invasive endoscopy, and microsurgery. Dr. Schwartz has been named to the lists of New York's Super Doctors, Best Doctors in New York magazine, America's Top Surgeons, America's Best Doctors, and America's Best Doctors for Cancer. (Read more about Dr. Schwartz.)

Rohan Ramakrishna, MD, co-director of the William Rhodes and Louise Tilzer-Rhodes Center for Glioblastoma, is an award-winning neurosurgeon who specializes in the treatment of brain tumors and other central nervous system tumors. Dr. Ramakrishna treats patients with gliomas, metastatic disease, skull base lesions, and pituitary disorders. He employs advanced awake mapping, imaging techniques, and microsurgery to ensure maximal tumor removal and achieve the safest possible surgical outcomes. (Read more about Dr. Ramakrishna.)

Susan Pannullo, MD, is board-certified in both Neurology and Neurological Surgery and specializes in stereotactic radiosurgery. Dr. Pannullo is one of the few neurosurgeons in the United States with access to Brainlab iX, Gamma Knife, and CyberKnife,  all of which allow non-invasive treatment of brain tumors and other conditions of the brain and spine. (Read more about Dr. Pannullo.)

At NewYork-Presbyterian Queens:

John Park, MD, PhD, is chief of neurosurgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. A board-certified and award-winning neurosurgeon, Dr. Park has particular expertise in the treatment of brain and spinal tumors and degenerative disorders of the cervical and lumbar spine. While at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Dr. Park developed a national reputation for the surgical treatment of low-grade gliomas and recurrent malignant gliomas and served as the principal neurosurgeon for patients enrolled in NCI clinical trials for malignant gliomas. (Read more about Dr. Park.)

Ning Lin, MD, brings a unique combination of neurosurgical and endovascular experience in treating a wide range of vascular diseases of the brain and spine. He has published multiple articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and presented in national neurosurgery conferences on the topic of brain tumors. Dr. Lin sees patients and performs surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. (Read more about Dr. Lin.)

At NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist:

Rohan Ramakrishna, MD, is chief of neurosurgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist, is an award-winning neurosurgeon who specializes in the treatment of brain tumors and other central nervous system tumors. Dr. Ramakrishna is Director of the Brain Metastases Program and Co-director of the William Rhodes and Louise Tilzer-Rhodes Center for Glioblastoma. He treats patients with gliomas, metastatic disease, skull base lesions, and pituitary disorders. He employs advanced awake mapping, imaging techniques, and microsurgery to ensure maximal tumor removal and achieve the safest possible surgical outcomes. (Read more about Dr. Ramakrishna.)

Martin Zonenshayn, MD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon with expertise in a wide range of disorders of the central nervous system. Dr. Zonenshayn specializes in brain and spine tumors, stereotactic and functional surgery, and degenerative spine conditions. He has been included in lists of Top Doctors in the New York Metro Area as well as in New York magazine’s list of Top Doctors in New York. More about Dr. Zonenshayn

Our neurosurgeons work closely with specialists in other disciplines who collaborate on the care of patients with astrocytomas and other brain tumors, including: Radiosurgery and Radiation Oncology
Neuro-Oncology
Neuro-radiology
Neuro-pathology
Precision Medicine

Our relationship with NewYork/Presbyterian allows our surgeons access to the very best facilities and specialists, as well as the most leading-edge research laboratories, to ensure that you gets the very best treatment available. You can request an appointment using our online form.

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Our Care Team

  • Chair and Neurosurgeon-in-Chief
  • Margaret and Robert J. Hariri, MD ’87, PhD ’87 Professor of Neurological Surgery
Phone: 212-746-4684
  • Chief of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist
  • Professor, Neurological Surgery
  • Director, Brain Metastases Program
  • Co-director, William Rhodes and Louise Tilzer-Rhodes Center for Glioblastoma
Phone: 212-746-1996 (Manhattan) / 718-780-3070 (Brooklyn)
  • Associate Professor, Neurological Surgery
Phone: 718-670-1837
  • Director, Neurosurgical Radiosurgery
  • Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
Phone: 212-746-2438
  • Chief of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens
  • Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
  • Co-director, Weill Cornell Medicine CSF Leak Program
Phone: (718) 670-1837
  • Vice Chair for Clinical Research
  • David and Ursel Barnes Professor of Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery
  • Professor of Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Otolaryngology
  • Director, Center for Epilepsy and Pituitary Surgery
  • Co-Director, Surgical Neuro-oncology
Phone: 212-746-5620
  • Associate Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
Phone: 718-780-5176
  • Director of Neuro-oncology
  • Director, Brain Tumor Center, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center
Phone: 646-962-2185

Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery 525 East 68 Street, Box 99 New York, NY 10065 Phone: 866-426-7787