Brain Tumors

An estimated 88,970 Americans receive a new brain tumor diagnosis each year. Aizik L. Wolf, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating cancerous and noncancerous brain tumors in children and adults. Dr. Wolf is the first to bring Gamma Knife® radiosurgery to South Florida and has advanced experience using this nonsurgical technology to destroy tumors without harming the surrounding tissue. If you have persistent headaches, vertigo, or other symptoms of brain tumors, call the office in South Miami, Florida, or book an appointment online today. 

What are brain tumors?

Brain tumors develop from abnormal cell growth. There are two main classes of brain tumors — primary and secondary.

Primary brain tumors

Primary brain tumors start in your brain. These tumors grow because of cell mutations in the glial tissues, pineal gland, pituitary gland, immune system, the myelin sheath covering nerves, or the meninges.

Primary brain tumors are less common in adults but more common in children. The most common type of primary brain tumor is meningioma.

Secondary brain tumors

Secondary brain tumors, also known as brain metastases, form in another part of your body. Most commonly, tumors originate in your lungs, breasts, skin, kidney, or colon and spread to your brain.

Metastatic brain tumors are common in adults but not in children.

Brain tumors can also be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The most common type of malignant tumor is glioblastoma.

What are common brain tumor symptoms?

Brain tumor symptoms vary based on the tumor you have and its location. Common warning signs of brain tumors can include:

• Vertigo
• Facial pain
• Frequent or severe headaches
• Blurred vision or other vision problems
• Loss of balance
• Speech difficulties
• Difficulty making decisions
• Behavior or personality changes

Seizures may develop as the brain tumor progresses.

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation with Dr. Wolf if you have any of these symptoms. He offers neurological and diagnostic imaging tests to locate and assess the type of brain tumor. and customizes a treatment plan.

How are brain tumors treated?

Dr. Wolf specializes in the treatment of many benign and malignant brain tumors in children and adults, including:

• Acoustic neuroma
• Astrocytoma
• Craniopharyngioma
• Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)
• Glioblastoma
• Hemangioblastomas
• Hemangiopericytomas
• Meningioma
• Pituitary tumors
• Cavernous angiomas
• Chiari malformation
• Arteriovenous malformation
• Arachnoid cyst
• Brain metastases

For many of these tumors, Dr. Wolf can perform surgery using advanced technologies like Gamma Knife radiosurgery and ZAP-X gyroscopic radiosurgery® and awake craniotomy, allowing for next day hospital discharge, reduced complications and faster recovery.

Gamma Knife

Gamma Knife radiosurgery treats tumors and vascular malformations in the brain without any incisions. The system focuses approximately 200 tiny beams of radiation on a tumor with precise accuracy to destroy it.

ZAP-X

ZAP-X gyroscopic radiosurgery is an alternative to invasive surgery for treating brain tumors. The system delivers high-dose radiation to the tumor with pinpoint accuracy, preventing damage to surrounding tissue.

Dr. Wolf’s extensive experience in Gamma Knife and ZAP-X radiosurgery ensures excellent outcomes.

Call the office of Aizik L. Wolf, MD, to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for brain tumors or book an appointment online today.