View Physicians

We have assembled a team of neurological surgeons with special expertise in the surgical treatment of patients with all types of brain tumors.  The surgical team performs an average of over 400 major brain tumor operations per year.  We specialize in the treatment of both benign and malignant tumors of the brain.  In addition, we have special expertise in treating tumors of the skull base and of the pituitary region.

Surgery for Primary Brain Cancer – Gliomas:

Primary brain tumors – often called gliomas – present a very specialized form of brain cancer.  Because these tumors directly invade the brain, the surgery to remove them safely is also very specialized.  Some gliomas grow in areas of the brain where they can be removed safely, while others occur in areas that control important brain function such as speech or movement of an arm or leg.  At the Vanderbilt Brain Tumor Center, patients with gliomas meet with the neurosurgeons to develop an individualized treatment plan.  The goal of therapy is to safely remove as much of the tumor as possible.  We have a sophisticated program for brain tumor imaging that allows our surgeons to see the tumors in relation to important areas of function.  We often map areas of function before surgery with functional MRI scanning and during surgery with intraoperative mapping techniques.  Our team has extensive experience with awake craniotomies – operations done with the patients anesthetized but awake to directly evaluate speech and motor function during the operation. 

Surgery for Metastatic Brain Cancer:  Selected patients with metastatic brain cancer may require surgery to remove the tumors.  Our neurosurgeons work closely with the primary medical oncologist to determine which patients would benefit from surgical removal of their tumors.  We use the most sophisticated technologies available to perform the surgery, including functional MRI and intraoperative brain mapping.  All of our brain tumor surgeries are carried out with the microscope to ensure maximal safe removal of the tumors.  After the surgery, our team continues to work closely with the medical oncologists to determine the best treatments for individual patients.  

Surgery for Tumors of the Skull Base:

Our surgeons specialize in treating tumors of the skull base.  These tumors include meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, neurofibromas, and other tumors of the cranial nerves.  These tumors often involve critical structures such as the brain stem, cranial nerves, and major arteries to the brain.  Because of their complexity, they require very specialized surgical strategies to remove them safely.  Often, the neurosurgeons of the Vanderbilt Brain Tumor Center will work as a team with the otolaryngology head and neck surgeons to expose and remove these tumors. 

Bill Wilkerson

Surgery for Pituitary Tumors: 

The Vanderbilt Brain Tumor Center is closely linked to the Pituitary Center.  Patients with tumors of the pituitary region have many specialized needs and their care is coordinated through the Pituitary Center.  Treatment is individualized and patients are evaluated by different medical and surgical specialists, including neurosurgeons, endocrinologists, ophthalmologists, and radiation oncologists to determine the optimal treatment. 

Pituitary Center