UAB offers world-renowned specialists in the care of surgical brain tumors. Our neurosurgeons are board-certified or board-eligible and are active contributors to the cutting-edge of brain tumor therapy, nationally. All neurosurgeons are currently accepting patients.

The UAB Department of Neurosurgery works closely with a multidisciplinary team of UAB surgeons, neurologists, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, neuropathologists, and neuro-radiologists with world-renowned expertise in treating these tumors. Patients receive highly specialized care, customized to their condition. The brain tumor program has the benefits of the shared resources within the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, which is Alabama’s only cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute and is a national leader in driving cancer research, advancing new cancer treatments, engaging communities in cancer prevention and early detection initiatives, and training the next generation of cancer physicians and scientists.

Once under our care, your neurosurgeon will confer with the multidisciplinary brain tumor/neuro-oncology team, to determine the best short-term and long-term strategy for your treatment. We employ the most scientifically advanced techniques such as intraoperative, precision image-guided navigation systems and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional brain mapping, radiosurgery, minimally invasive neurosurgery, and awake intraoperative functional mapping. Our team of neurosurgeons has pioneered and fostered neuroimaging, neurosurgical treatment options, clinical translational research, and innovative clinical trials for the treatment and management of brain tumors.

Types of Tumors

Our team of experts can address a wide variety of brain tumors. From benign brain tumors, which grow slowly and rarely become cancerous, to malignant brain tumors, to glioblastomas.

Expert Care

The Brain Tumor Program care team is proud to provide personalized patient care thanks to initiatives like the Brain Tumor Board and Brain Tumor Working Group. These groups are designed to promote collaboration across the team at UAB that treats brain tumors. Advances in technology, notable cases, and developing techniques are topics of discussion. The Brain Tumor Board and the Brain Tumor Working Group enable our surgeon-scientists to continue learning and growing in their practice, making them leaders in their fields.

Advanced Treatment

Our team of experts offers advanced treatment, including:

• Image-guided surgery for benign and malignant brain tumors allows for the safe and complete removal of tumor material without damaging normal brain tissue. Learn more about intraoperative MRI (pictured).

• Awake surgeries for malignant brain tumors in certain areas of the brain, so that as much of the tumor as possible can be removed in the functionally important brain areas; this also minimizes the risks of post-operative complications.

• Innovative surgical clinical trials allow neurosurgeons to directly target remaining tumor cells during surgery.

• Offers fluorescence-guided surgery for malignant brain tumors, which causes tumor cells to “shine” during surgery and gives surgeons the best chance of removing the maximum number of cancer cells.

Outcomes

Patients receiving brain tumor treatment at UAB can expect caring, compassionate providers who are experienced in working in a patient-first environment. We understand that for many patients, this experience can be overwhelming. With our team surrounding the patient, we aim to provide not only the best outcome in surgical or non-surgical treatment but also the best patient experience.

Our Providers

James Markert, M.D., MPH

Professor
Chair, Department of Neurosurgery
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Burt Nabors, M.D.

Professor
Vice-Chair for Research
Division Director, Neuro-Oncology
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Winfield Fisher, M.D.

Professor
Provider Profile

Kristen Riley, M.D.

Professor
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Phillip Schmalz, M.D.

Assistant Professor
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If you would like to make a donation to Neurosurgery Brain Tumor Research, you may give online or contact Jennifer Philpot,
Director of Development, at jlphilpot@uabmc.edu.
We thank you for your support.