Skull Base Surgery Program
Part of Neuroscience
Leaders in Skull Base Surgery
Skull base surgery is a highly-specialized field that addresses tumors and other abnormalities on the underside of the brain or base of the skull. Stanford’s Skull Base draws expertise from a variety of medical and surgical specialties and is ranked among the top in the world.
213 Quarry Road
Palo Alto,
CA
94304
Phone: 650-723-6469
What We Offer You for Care
- World-class expertise in treating all types of skull base tumors and conditions from the common to the complex Go to Conditions Treated
- Advanced treatment options including minimally invasive treatments and new approaches to scar-less surgery. Go to Treatments
- Clinical trials that provide access to novel approaches. Go to Clinical Trials
- A team approach with a variety of specialists working in close coordination on a care plan customized to your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Go to Your Care Team
- Comprehensive support services including educational workshops, fitness classes, and support groups to help you get back to living a high quality of life. Go to Support Services
- Ease of access with dedicated nurse coordinators who will partner with you and your family and guide you through each step of your care. Go to Accessing Care
Each member of our team has specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the underside of the brain and skull base.
We work tirelessly to translate our discoveries into transformative care and have become a sought-after referral center as we share our knowledge with colleagues around the world.
We offer superior outcomes because our team of neurosurgeons, rhinologists, neuro-otologists, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, head and neck reconstructive surgeons, oculoplastic surgeons, radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, and more work closely to collaborate on your care. They effectively treat all conditions of the skull base, including those that other health centers consider too challenging to attempt.
- Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)
- Acromegaly
- Adenocarcinoma
- Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
- Brain aneurysm
- Chiari Malformation
- Cholesteatoma
- Chondrosarcoma
- Chordoma
- Cranial Nerve Schwannoma
- Craniopharyngioma
- Cushing’s Syndrome
- Esthesioneuroblastoma
- Inflammatory Pseudotumor
- Meningioma
Your condition, overall health, and lifestyle guide our treatment recommendations from our team of specialists.
INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS
- Stanford Skull Base Surgeons have pioneered and refined Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery for multiple lesions.
- Stanford Skull Base Rhinologists have developed advanced methods to preserve sense of smell and maximize quality of life after EES
- Stanford Skull Base and Pediatric Neurosurgeons have performed EES for Craniopharyngioma in the youngest patient ever reported
- Stanford Skull Base Center is leading the newest innovations in teaching and education for surgeons around the world
- Stanford neurosurgeons revolutionized skull base treatment by inventing and expanding the use of CyberKnife to treat conditions that were thought to be untreatable.
- We use our unique virtual reality program and 3D images of your skull base to prepare for your treatment.
Stanford Medicine Neurosurgeon Performs Successful Endoscopic
Endonasal Surgery on a Two- year-old – the Youngest EEA Patient Ever
It’s the decision no parent imagines he or she will face: what kind of treatment to pursue for a two-year-old child, after learning his vomiting. lethargy, and seizures were caused by a brain tumor.
Ari Ellman’s best option was also the most risky: he needed special surgery to remove the tumor, but it had never been performed on a patient so young. Dr. Juan Fernandez-Miranda, the head of Stanford’s Skull Base Surgery program, spent hours practicing in a virtual OR and on a 3D printed model of Ari’s tiny skull to successfully remove Ari’s tumor piece-by-piece.
Juan Carlos Fernandez-Miranda
Chief of the Skull Base Surgery Division
SURGERY
Surgery is usually the first treatment for many skull base conditions. Our surgeons are globally recognized for their understanding of skull base anatomy, technical mastery, and pioneering contributions, as well as their careful planning and preparation for complex cases.
- Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Keyhole Surgery
- Transcranial Microsurgery
- Transorbital Skull Base Surgery
- Transtemporal Skull Base Surgery
NONSURGICAL TREATMENTS
We offer a full range of treatment options to meet your unique needs.
Active Surveillance
If you have a slow-growing tumor, we may recommend monitoring it for signs that it may be worsening and need treatment. Your doctor works with you to determine how often and what type of testing you need.
Medications for Symptoms
To relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend medications such as:
- Anticonvulsants to reduce the risk of seizures
- Steroids to reduce swelling in your brain and spinal cord
Anticancer Drugs
Your doctor may recommend anticancer drugs. Some work to slow or stop the tumor growth and spread. Others stimulate the immune system to target and attack specific cancer cells. Drug therapies for treating cancerous tumors include:
Tumor Genomic Profiling
In certain cases, we analyze tumor cells for specific genetic markers that might respond to targeted therapies. We review the results with Stanford’s Molecular Tumor Board to determine the right treatment options for you.
Radiosurgery
We may recommend radiation therapy to help treat your condition, while protecting healthy surrounding tissue.
Radiation options include:
- CyberKnife radiosurgery targets tumors with high-dose radiation to kill them or keep them from growing.
- 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) uses 3D imaging to focus radiation treatment from a variety of angles to conform to the shape of your tumor.
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy is similar to 3D-CRT but your radiation oncologists to regulate the intensity of treatment to the various densities of your tumor.
FAMILY RISK MANAGEMENT
We offer genetic testing and counseling to identify gene mutations that may increase the risk of hereditary conditions. We guide you and your family through the findings and important personal decisions.
Family risk management is a partnership between our Neurogenetic Oncology Program and Cancer Genetics Program. Learn more about our cancer risk assessment with genetic testing and counseling.
Clinical Trials
As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may be eligible to participate in open clinical trials. Open trials refer to studies that are currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
Your Care Team
The Stanford Health Care Skull Base Surgery Program delivers superior care and outcomes because it a broad team of specialists collaborate to confirm the smallest details of your condition and recommendations for your care and recovery.
Your Doctors
Neurosurgeon
A neurosurgeon is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system.
View All {0} Neurosurgeons »Neurotologist
A Neurotologist is a type of Otolaryngologist (ENT) who provides medical and surgical care of patients with diseases that affect the ears, balance system, temporal bone, skull base, and related structures of the head and neck.
View All {0} Neurotologists »Rhinologist
A Rhinologist is a type of Otolaryngologist (ENT) who has unique expertise in the medical and surgical treatment of nasal and sinus disorders.
View All {0} Rhinologists »Oculoplastic Surgeon
An oculoplastic surgeon is an ophthalmologist who specializes in the plastic and reconstructive surgery of eyelids, eyebrows, forehead, cheeks, the bones around the eye, and the system of ducts that deliver tears.
View all Oculoplastic Surgeons »Radiation Oncologist
Radiation oncologists specialize in using high-energy X-rays and other radiation therapy such as CyberKnife to treat cancerous and noncancerous brain and spinal cord tumors. Radiation can destroy cancer cells and prevent them from spreading, and it can destroy noncancerous tumor tissue. Using advanced technologies, radiation oncologists can precisely target tumor cells to avoid damaging nearby healthy tissue.
View All {0} Radiation Oncologists »Neuroendocrinologist
Neuroendocrinologists diagnose and treat patients with diseases of the endocrine system. Our neurosurgeons partner with neuroendocrinologists to treat pituitary tumors.
View All {0} Neuroendocrinologists »Interventional Neuroradiologist
Interventional Neuroradiologists use imaging studies like CT scans and MRIs to diagnose and treat conditions of the central nervous system, head, neck and spine.
View All {0} Interventional Neuroradiologists »Neuro-ophthalmology Specialist
A neuro-ophthalmologist specializes in visual problems related to the nervous system, including loss of sight due to injury to the brain or the optic nerves.
View All {0} Neuro-ophthalmology Specialists »Neuroanesthesiologist
Neuro-anesthesiologists specialize in using medications to block pain, help you relax, or make you unconscious for spine and brain tumor procedures. Neuro-anesthesiologists also monitor your vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate during surgery. Depending on the type of surgery you are having, you may need local (small area), regional (larger area), or general (overall) anesthesia.
View All {0} Neuroanesthesiologists »Neuropathologist
Neuropathologists specialize in diagnosing conditions of the brain and nervous system through microscopic evaluation of tissue sampled during biopsy or surgery.
View All {0} Neuropathologists »Neuroradiologist
A neuroradiologist uses imaging studies like CT Scans and MRIs to diagnose conditions of the central nervous system, head, neck and spine. You may not meet your radiologist, since these doctors usually work behind the scenes to determine your diagnosis.
View All {0} Neuroradiologists »
Extended Care Team
Our oncology-certified health care providers work with your oncologist to help with diagnosis and treatment. APPs may recommend medications, lifestyle changes, and services such as genetic counseling. An APP can be a nurse practitioner (NP), physician’s assistant (PA), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
Our care coordinators provide you with information and assistance before and during your appointment.
- Medical Assistants take you to your exam room after you check in for your appointments. They check your vital signs before your doctor sees you.
- New Patient Coordinators contact you before your first appointment and help you prepare by providing the information you need to know and bring with you.
- Patient Access Representatives greet you at the front desk and register you for your appointments.
- ITA Schedulers schedule your appointments if you have apheresis (a specific type of blood transfusion) or chemotherapy.
- Surgery Schedulers call you to arrange the details for meeting with a surgical oncologist or reconstruction surgeon or the surgery.
CyberKnife coordinators serve as your single point of contact during treatment. CyberKnife patient coordinators work with you and your doctor to coordinate insurance authorization, determine clinical trials eligibility, and gather information before consultation. They also schedule your follow-up imaging and visit with your surgeon, and expedite appointments.
Our genetic counselors have specialized experience in cancer genetics, the study of genes and gene mutations, and how they affect a person’s risk of cancer. Not everyone may benefit from genetic testing. It is designed for people whose medical history shows the possibility of an inherited gene mutation.
Genetic counselors advise you and your family on identifying and managing any risk of inherited cancer. They work with you and your doctors to perform and review any genetic testing and help you understand the results.
- Occupational therapists are skilled practitioners who provide rehabilitation care to help you regain strength and functional ability during and after treatment for cancer. They help you with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, managing your medications, and driving.
- Physical therapists work with you and your family to recover your physical function after treatment, such as improving your:
- Strength, especially in the upper body
- Sensation, to relieve numbness in treated areas
- Range of motion, to reduce stiffness and pain
- Movement control, to improve endurance and reduce fatigue
If you qualify for a clinical trial, our research coordinators guide you through the process. They educate you about what to expect during the study, answer your questions, and schedule your appointments.
Support Services
As part of your care, we design a personalized wellness plan to support your comfort before, during, and after treatment, and to help your family cope with the effects of having a loved one in treatment.
- Psycho-Oncology: Psychiatrists and Psychologists
- Sleep Clinic
- Spiritual Care
- Stanford Health Library
- Support Groups: Brain Tumors, Meningioma, Acoustic Neuroma
- Wigs and Cosmetic Support
Our commitment to compassionate care includes ensuring convenient access to our services. Our clinics are conveniently located on the Stanford Medicine campus in Palo Alto.
Frequently Asked Questions
We participate in a wide range of insurance plans. View the list of insurance plans accepted by Stanford Health Care »
Have insurance or pre-authorization questions? The Patient Financial Clearance team is available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., to answer your questions. Please call 650-724-4445 or 1-877-291-7335 (toll free).
When choosing a doctor, it’s important to consider the doctor’s clinical training, experience and expertise in a specialized area that matches your health care needs.
You can find the right Stanford doctor for you by using our doctor directory and filtering the results based on a medical category, specialty, or doctor’s last name. View our list of our Skull Base Surgery Clinic doctors»
At Stanford, we take care of the details so that you can focus on your health and wellness. Our doctors work as a team with device nurses, advanced practice providers, registered dietitians, and imaging technologists to coordinate every aspect of your care. We also offer a wide range of support services to promote healing and improve your quality of life. Learn more about our support services »
You can call the clinic directly to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. Call 650-723-6469 to make an appointment.
Yes, Stanford Health Care offers financial assistance for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Meet with one of our financial counselors to find the best approach to paying for your health care. Financial counselors are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Learn more about financial assistance services »
Managing brain and spine tumor treatment is a highly personalized process. Our care team guides you every step of the way, including:
- What to expect and what to bring on the day of your appointment
- Maps, directions, parking, public transit options, and contact information
- Suggested questions to ask your doctor
For your first appointment, you should plan to bring any related test results and your medical history to share with your doctor. Our clinic receptionists will confirm the information you should bring with you prior to your first appointment.
You will also need to have the following information with you when you check in:
- Insurance card
- A form of payment for any co-pays or deductibles
- One form of photo ID:
- Valid state-issued driver’s license
- Valid state-issued ID card
- Valid passport
- Valid U.S. Military ID card
- Valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card
The Skull Base Surgery Clinic is located at the following address. Valet and self-parking options are available for a fee.
Please plan to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to your appointment time. This will allow you plenty of time to park, locate your clinic and complete any additional paperwork.
Directions and Parking information for the Skull Base Surgery Clinic:
Please print, fill out, and return the Medical Record Release Form to your new patient coordinator. The medical release form is an authorization form for external facilities to release medical records to Stanford Health Care.
Always feel free to bring someone with you to your appointments. A family member or friend can help ask questions, remember the information your care team gives you, and provide support.
Write down your questions before your appointment and rank them in order of importance, beginning with the most important ones. If there isn’t enough time to have all your questions answered during your appointment, ask your doctor who you can speak with to get your other questions answered.
You have multiple options when it comes to paying your bill.
- Pay Online:
- You can log in to MyHealth or the MyHealth mobile app to see and pay your bill.
Already have an account but need help logging in?
Contact the MyHealth Help Desk
- You can also pay as a guest to pay your bill without logging in.
- Pay by mail:
- Stanford Health Care
P.O. Box 740715, Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
- Stanford Health Care
- Pay by Phone:
- You can call our Patient Billing Customer Service Office
1-800-549-3720.
- You can call our Patient Billing Customer Service Office
For our latest business hours and for more information about billing, visit our Billing page.
At Stanford, we take care of the details so that you can focus on your health and wellness. Our doctors work as a team with nurses, advanced practice providers, registered dietitians, and technologists to coordinate every aspect of your care. We also offer a wide range of support services to promote healing and improve your quality of life. Learn more about our support services »
Please call our clinic receptionists at 650-723-6469. They are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to help you reschedule or cancel your appointment.
To determine if a clinical trial is right for you, talk to your doctor. He or she can refer you to a research coordinator for more information on studies that may be right for your specific condition.
You can also find the guidelines for who can participate in a particular clinical trial online. However, it is best to work with your doctor to decide the right care approach for your needs.
Many of our programs are available to international patients.
Our International Medicine Services team can help you find the right doctor, estimate medical costs, book travel, and get you information about Stanford programs and services.
Please call +1 650-723-8561 or email IMS@stanfordhealthcare.org to get started.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Phone: 1-866-742-4811
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referring Physicians.
To request an appointment, call our nurse coordinator Erin Wipff at 650-723-6469.
