Doctors Who Treat Chordomas

Although a chordoma may be suspected or even tentatively diagnosed by an individual’s primary care physician, it should be treated only by an expert brain and spine tumor team including an experienced neurosurgeon and neuro-oncologist. (See Diagnosing and Treating a Chordoma)

A highly trained team of neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, interventional neuroradiologists, and radiosurgeons at the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center are available to treat these tumors. The neurosurgeons who specialize in skull base and spinal tumors perform complex surgical procedures every week and have an international reputation for their expertise. Their expertise in treating spinal tumors is unparalleled.

Patients who come to the Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center for treatment of a chordoma receive integrated, comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team, including:

Clival Chordomas

Theodore H. Schwartz, M.D., specializes in the minimally invasive treatment of pituitary tumors and has lectured around the world training neurosurgeons in 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.  He has authored two books and many papers on the subject of minimally invasive surgery for pituitary tumors. (Read more about Dr. Schwartz.)

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 disorders of the brain and spine. Find out more about our Stereotactic Surgery Program. (Read more about Dr. Pannullo.)

Rohan Ramakrishna, M.D. 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.)

Babacar Cisse, M.D., Ph.D. is an award-winning neurosurgeon with special expertise in chordomas 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)

Spinal Chordomas

Roger Härtl, M.D., named as one of the top 50 spine surgeons in the United States, is co-director of the Weill Cornell Spine Center and Director of Spinal Surgery and Neurotrauma at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center. He’s also the official neurosurgeon for the New York Giants. Dr. Härtl's clinical and research expertise is in simple and complex spine surgery and neurotrauma. Dr. Härtl believes that surgery should be a part of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, and he works very closely with other specialists in a team effort to achieve the best outcome for his patients. (Read more about Dr. Härtl.)

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 disorders of the brain and spine. Find out more about our Stereotactic Surgery Program. (Read more about Dr. Pannullo.)

Weill Cornell Medicine Brain and Spine Center’s relationship with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital allows our doctors access to the very best facilities and specialists, as well as the most leading-edge research laboratories, to ensure that each individual gets the very best treatment available.  Please use our online form to request an appointment, or see the phone directory to contact an individual physician.