Brain Tumor

Treating brain tumors requires precision, skill, and a focus on superior patient outcomes. At the NeuroSpine Center, elite Duke University-trained neurosurgeon Phillip Henkin, MD, performs minimally invasive procedures to treat brain tumors with less tissue damage, smaller access points, and shorter hospital stays. Dr. Henkin has performed more than 300 craniotomies for excision of brain tumors and is passionate about helping his patients get the best results. Call the Tampa, Florida, office now or book your appointment online.

What are the different types of brain tumors?

There are more than 150 types of brain tumors. These all fall into two categories:

Primary brain tumors

Primary brain tumors grow inside the brain and can appear on nerves, blood vessels, glands, and other brain structures. They’re either noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). 

Gliomas and meningiomas constitute the great majority of brain tumors.  Gliomas are tumors that arise from glial tissues and range in level of aggressiveness from benign grade 1 or 2 gliomas to malignant grade 3 or 4 gliomas.

Almost all gliomas have a propensity to recur or grow back in time.  In contrast, meningiomas are usually benign tumors which can be completely cured with surgical excision in the great majority of cases.

Dr. Henkin also treats other common primary brain tumors including pituitary adenomas and  acoustic neuromas.

Secondary brain tumors

A secondary brain tumor, or brain metastasis, occurs when cancerous cells migrate to the brain from another place in the body. Brain metastases are the most common form of brain tumors and thus more common than primary brain tumors. 

All secondary brain tumors are cancerous and are 10 times as common as primary brain tumors.  Brain metastases usually arise from primary lung, breast, kidney or skin cancers.   

What are the symptoms of a brain tumor?

Brain tumor symptoms vary widely. Every tumor has unique characteristics, and the tumor’s size and location influence your symptoms. Some general symptoms that people with brain tumors experience are:

• Recurrent headaches
• Difficulty thinking
• Difficulty speaking or expressing your thoughts
• Confusion
• Balance issues
• Vision changes
• Hearing fluctuations
• Facial numbness
• Facial tingling
• Mood swings or personality changes
• Weakness on one side of your body
• Difficulty swallowing

Some of these symptoms occur with many other conditions, so don’t jump to conclusions about what’s wrong if you’re experiencing these issues. At the NeuroSpine Center, Dr. Henkin performs specialized evaluations to detect the actual cause of your symptoms so that you can get the appropriate treatment immediately.

How are brain tumors treated?

Brain tumor treatment depends on which tumor you have, its effects, and your personal wishes. Dr. Henkin explains every available treatment so that you can make an informed choice. Most patients have radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination, which can significantly improve their quality of life.

Dr. Henkin is the most experienced minimally invasive neurosurgery specialist in Greater Tampa.

He has performed more than 300 craniotomies to expertly remove brain tumors through a small opening in the skull. Dr. Henkin often performs stereotactic craniotomy, using a 3D image of the brain and a high-tech navigation system to reach the brain tumor and remove it.

Trust the leading Tampa neurosurgeon at the NeuroSpine Center for compassionate, personalized care of brain tumors. Book your appointment today using the online scheduling link or call the office to set up your consultation with Dr. Henkin.