Cranial/Skull Base Tumors

The idea of having something wrong near your brain can be very scary, which is why our program allows you to be seen by a multidisciplinary team of specialists from Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Radiation Oncology, and Medical Oncology and get an answer regarding your diagnosis and treatment the same day.

Our experts treat tumors with cutting-edge therapy including pioneering minimally invasive surgeries for a fast recovery.

People often think of the cranial base as only dealing with the back of the head, but it’s actually made up of the base of the skull, the facial bones, and the soft tissues of these regions. At The University of Michigan, our Cranial Base Program involves the treatment of vascular anomalies, management of facial trauma, and resection of both benign and malignant tumors involving the cranial base region. Whether it’s a benign or malignant tumor, a facial trauma or an abnormally developed blood vessel, we have the expertise needed to treat it—especially complex tumors that were previously deemed inoperable due to their deep locations.

Some of the conditions treated:

• Acoustic Neuroma
• Meningiomas
• Nasal/Sinus Tumors
• Paraganglioma
• Sinonasal melanoma

Our techniques and approaches include;

• Open: The open approaches involve incisions, opening the skull, removing the tumor or correcting the deformity, and reconstructing you.
• Computer guided endoscopic skull base surgery: A minimally invasive surgery that involves going through the nose to remove tumors.
• Endoscopic-assisted open: Using an endoscope (a thin tube with a light and video camera) to assist during an open surgery.

For patients with an acoustic neuroma – a tumor of the nerve that connects the ear and brain – hearing loss can occur as a result of surgical tumor removal. Our cranial base team emphasizes hearing preservation whenever indicated.

The subcranial approach is the most commonly used approach; it involves the removal of skull base bones to provide reasonable access to deep, not easily reachable lesions. This relatively new approach prevents the retraction of the brain. The subcranial approach not only provides better access than traditional approaches, but it also minimizes damage to cranial nerves and vasculature, eliminating the need for extensive rehabilitation.

We also use cutting-edge radiation therapy, chemotherapy, modifying your immune system or a combination of these treatments, with or without surgery, to effectively treat cranial base tumors. All approaches are designed to restore the patient to his or her preoperative function, lifestyle and appearance. More than 1,400 adult and pediatric skull base patients have been treated since our program began in 1994.

Our Team of Multidisciplinary Experts See the Most Complex Cases

Cranial base lesion and tumor specialists in Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Radiation Oncology, and Medical Oncology work together to ensure comprehensive, appropriate treatment and the highest quality outcomes possible.

Make an Appointment