Meet Leading Meningioma Surgeon | Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol

Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts in the surgical treatment of meningiomas. As a highly skilled brain and spinal meningioma surgeon, Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol has dedicated his career to advancing surgical techniques that prioritize patient safety, maximize tumor removal, and preserve brain and spinal cord function. 

His expertise, combined with his patient-centered approach, makes him one of the most trusted specialists for people who are facing the challenges of a brain or spinal meningioma. He has performed thousands of meningioma surgeries, the most number of such surgeries in the United States.

When choosing a spinal meningioma surgeon, experience is one of the most critical factors influencing outcomes. Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol has personally performed more than 1600 meningioma surgeries, giving him unmatched insight into the nuances of these complex operations. Each case presents unique challenges, particularly when tumors grow near delicate blood vessels or vital functional areas of the brain.

Dr. Cohen uses unique and specialized surgical techniques designed to protect the surrounding brain tissue while minimizing surgical manipulation of healthy brain tissue. These methods are aimed at ensuring that patients achieve optimal recovery and can return to their daily lives as soon as possible.

His extensive case volume also has enabled him to anticipate the safest surgical corridor and select the best approach for each patient. This fine-tuned decision-making is critical for achieving maximal tumor resection while minimizing the risk of the tumor reappearing. For a meningioma tumor surgeon, this balance, removing as much tumor as possible while protecting essential brain functions, requires both technical mastery and years of surgical experience.

Innovation is a hallmark of Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol’s career. He has developed and refined minimally invasive approaches that reduce trauma to the brain while allowing for comprehensive tumor removal. These advanced methods are particularly valuable for tumors in challenging locations, such as the skull base, ventricles, or near vital neurovascular structures.

Key neurosurgical techniques include:

• Neuroendoscopic approaches: Involve the use of small, high-definition cameras to access deep-seated tumors through small openings.
• Endoscopic endonasal surgery: Used in select cases to access tumors through the nasal passage to avoid external incisions and large craniotomy (removal of part of the skull to access the brain underneath).
• Tailored craniotomy: Involves creating a smaller, precise opening in the skull that limits bone removal and reduces pressure on the brain.

By adopting these advanced strategies, Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol maximizes safe tumor removal while minimizing risks such as infection, bleeding, and long-term neurological complications. Rehabilitation and postoperative support are integrated into his care model to help patients achieve the best possible recovery.

Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol tailors every meningioma treatment plan according to a combination of tumor-and patient-specific factors, including the tumor’s grade (benign, atypical, or malignant), size, location (especially proximity to critical neurovascular or functional brain structures), and growth rate and the patient’s age, overall health, and existing neurological symptoms. 

If complete removal of the tumor would pose high risk to nearby functional brain tissue, he may use surgery to remove all but a small safe margin of tumor combined with targeted radiation therapy afterward. Genetic or molecular predictors are increasingly being used to guide how aggressive the tumor treatment should be and how close the follow-up with the patient should be.

For patients with a spinal meningioma, selecting the right spinal meningioma surgeon is crucial for ensuring how the vital spinal cord is protected during manipulation of the tumor. The spinal cord is highly sensitive, and even a small misstep during surgery can cause lasting damage. If appropriate techniques are not used, either the tumor will not be effectively removed or the spinal cord will be placed at risk during surgical maneuvers to expose the tumor. This careful balance between tumor removal and spinal cord safety is one of the reasons that patients from around the world seek Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol’s care.

One of the most inspiring aspects of Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol’s work is the impact it has had on his patients’ lives. For example, this video tells the story of Kate, a pathologist who in April 2019 was diagnosed with a skull base meningioma located in an especially challenging area, around her brainstem and cerebellopontine angle. She describes how she first noticed hearing loss on her left side and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), from which she learned that her tumor was large (about 3 cm) and appeared to be benign but was also dangerously close to critical nerves and structures in her brain.

Kate shares how difficult the decision to undergo surgery was. This particular surgery could have affected her ability to swallow, sing, and even move parts of her body. She ultimately chose to undergo surgery by Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol, whose technical skill, she says, made a huge difference. The surgery went better than expected; she recovered well, returned to work in about 5 weeks, and later became a mom, living a far more normal life than she had thought possible.

For patients preparing for meningioma surgery, the process begins with a detailed evaluation. Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol will spend time explaining your imaging results, surgical options, and potential risks in clear, accessible terms. This ensures that patients and families understand the treatment plan and feel confident moving forward with treatment.

Preoperative planning is highly meticulous. Advanced imaging, such as MRI and computed tomography (CT) angiography, helps him map out the safest surgical route. Virtual 3D reconstructions of the brain may also be used, allowing patients to visualize their tumor and better understand the surgery.

Patients are also guided through preoperative health optimization, such as managing blood pressure, controlling other medical conditions, and strengthening the body for recovery. This comprehensive preparation improves surgical safety and speeds recovery time.

Emotional preparation is equally important. Facing brain surgery is daunting, and Dr.  Cohen-Gadol ensures that patients receive compassionate support, including counseling and access to educational resources. His approach is centered on both medical and emotional well-being.

For patients seeking the very best in meningioma care, Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol offers unmatched expertise and compassionate guidance. His role as a meningioma tumor surgeon extends far beyond the operating room; he is a partner in each patient’s journey, from diagnosis to recovery and long-term follow-up.

As a leading meningioma tumor surgeon, he is trusted worldwide for his ability to manage even the most complex cases with precision and care. His expertise as a surgeon provides patients with confidence that their brain and spinal cord will be protected while the tumor is removed completely whenever possible.

Choosing Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol means choosing surgical excellence, innovative treatment, and a personalized plan designed to protect both your health and quality of life. His dedication ensures that patients not only survive but also thrive after surgery.