Doctors Who Treat Oligodendrogliomas

There are several variations of central nervous system tumors, which can make diagnosing them a challenge. It is vital that a person seeking care for a spine or brain tumor seek care at a world-renowned surgical hospital with a team that has experience with rare types of brain tumors such as oligodendrogliomas.

A patient diagnosed with a 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. The Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center offers the services of some of the top surgeons in the field as well as access to a full range of specialists in all the disciplines an adult patient needs.

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

Philip E. Stieg, Ph.D., M.D., the chair and neurosurgeon-in-chief of the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, leads the cerebrovascular team. 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 nearly two decades ago. Dr. Stieg has developed an international reputation in the area of cerebrovascular disorders and 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, M.D., 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, M.D., Ph.D., 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, M.D. 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.)

Babacar Cisse, M.D., Ph.D., Leon Levy Research Fellow at the Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, is an award-winning neurosurgeon with special expertise in glioblastoma and other brain and spinal tumors. He utilizes advanced neuro-navigation, ultrasound, imaging, motor and speech mapping, and endoscopic and minimally invasive techniques to achieve the best possible outcomes for his patients. A native of Senegal, Dr. Cisse received his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Bard College, then his combined MD/PhD degrees with Distinction from Columbia University in New York. (Read more about Dr. Cisse.)

At NewYork-Presbyterian Queens:

Ning Lin, M.D. 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 glioblastoma multiforme. 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:
Dr. Martin Zonenshayn, chief of the neurosurgery division at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, 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. 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 Hospital 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
  • Vice Provost of Business Affairs and Integration
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)
  • Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
  • Leon Levy Research Fellow
  • Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute
Phone: 646-962-3389
  • Director, Neurosurgical Radiosurgery
  • Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
  • Robert G. Schwager, MD ’67 Education Scholar, Cornell University
Phone: 212-746-2438
  • Chief of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens
  • 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

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