With new research, technology and medical advancements, brain tumors are becoming more treatable than ever before, and many are curable.

While a person is not able to control the risk factors that increase their chance of developing a brain tumor, such as age, genetics and family history, understanding where to turn after receiving a diagnosis can help remove some of the uncertainty of receiving a brain tumor diagnosis.

The basics of brain tumors

When a brain tumor develops, it is a result of a growth of abnormal cells growing in the brain and can be both cancerous (malignant) and non-cancerous. It can impact a person’s ability to function normally. The good news? Most brain tumors are not cancer; less than one-third of all diagnosed tumors in the U.S. are cancerous. In addition, there is an entire category of generally slow-growing brain tumors, known as skull-base tumors, that, if treated by a specialized team, are associated with long-term survival.

A person’s skull base is the area behind their eyes and nose that slopes down to the back of the head, forming at the base of a skull. When referencing a skull-base tumor, it entails an abnormal growth developing in this specific, difficult-to-reach location. Generally, the signs of this growth occur when important nerves or arteries are affected, and the symptoms can vary from person to person. The most common symptoms one experiences with a skull-base tumor include:

  • Pain, numbness or weakness in the face
  • Headaches that feel different than the usual
  • Recurrent sinus problems
  • Stopped-up nose and loss of the ability to smell
  • Vision loss and double vision
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or loss of hearing
  • Dizziness or loss of balance
  • Shortness of breath
  • Hoarseness, losing your voice
  • Difficulty swallowing and frequent choking

When a person experiences one or more of these symptoms, doctors will use sophisticated imaging technology to pinpoint the exact location. A CT scan and an MRI can help determine the exact nature of the growth, and specialized scans of the patient’s brain are used to create a map to accurately navigate around important structures.

Diagnosis and treatment

There is a common misconception that a brain tumor diagnosis is equivalent to a death sentence. This is not the case. With the right experience and expertise, neurosurgeons can accurately diagnose and treat brain tumors with minimally invasive surgery or a combination of minimally invasive surgery and more traditional open surgeries, resulting in a shorter-than-average recovery time for many individuals and more complete removal of the tumor.

For skull-base tumors, its deep location in the brain and proximity to important arteries and nerves can present significant challenges when operating. When seeking surgical treatment for this type of tumor, it is important to evaluate doctors to ensure they have a comprehensive medical team, such as Montefiore’s neurological surgery team, that can take a multidisciplinary approach to minimally invasive surgery. Having a range of disciplines is important and can contribute to a faster recovery. Choosing a neurosurgeon with advanced training in skull base is also very important.

Become your own advocate

A brain tumor diagnosis and treatment can feel overwhelming and complicated — more reason than ever to become your own advocate. When you feel empowered to communicate the symptoms most concerning to you, it can help doctors understand the best approach to treatment. After all, no one knows what you are experiencing better than you. To start advocating for yourself, consider the following:

  • Take an active role in your diagnosis and treatment plan. Make sure you understand your diagnosis and consider the risks and benefits of different treatment options available to you.
  • Advocate for yourself. Studies show when you learn more about your disease and are more actively involved in medical care, you are more likely to have a better quality of life, and in some instances, outcomes.
  • Ask questions. When talking to your doctors, take time to ask questions (multiple times if necessary). Often, these individuals are used to explaining the ins and outs of a specific condition and will be accustomed to it.
  • Find good medical information online. There is so much information available online for your consumption, but focus your efforts on finding credible sources of information, such as a reputable website, writer and peer-reviewed articles.

No matter where a person is in their journey through a brain tumor diagnosis and treatment, it is important to stay informed about new treatments, methodologies and expertise. Even in instances of facing a complicated skull-base tumor removal, there are ways to ensure you are getting the best possible care and experience from your medical team.

Dr. Vijay Agarwal is a neurosurgeon at Montefiore with multiple skull base fellowships from around the world and the country. He offers comprehensive treatments for adult patients with benign and malignant skull base brain tumors. To learn more about Montefiore’s Department of Neurological Surgery, visit


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