Decision guide
For a tumor growing within the spinal cord, surgery aims to remove tumor tissue while preserving nerve function.
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For a tumor growing within the spinal cord, surgery aims to remove tumor tissue while preserving nerve function. Electrical monitoring during the operation checks pathways involved in movement and sensation. Combining movement and sensory monitoring can identify neurological problems more accurately than either type alone. For tumors inside the spinal covering but outside the cord itself, minimally invasive and conventional open approaches have been compared. These are different anatomical situations, not interchangeable treatment choices. In meningioma surgery, fluorescence guidance uses a substance called 5-ALA to help make tumor tissue visible during removal.
| Method | What it is | What the numbers show |
|---|---|---|
| Removal of all visible tumour | Removal of all visible tumour. |
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| Heating tumour tissue with a laser | Heating tumour tissue with a laser. |
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| Focused radiation treatment | Focused radiation treatment. |
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| Precisely targeted radiation treatment | Precisely targeted radiation treatment. |
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| Complete tumour removal | Complete tumour removal. |
|
One treatment discussion concerns how to reach the tumor while limiting disturbance of nearby nerves. For spinal tumors outside the cord but inside its covering, minimally invasive surgery is an alternative to an open approach. For adults having a tumor removed through the back of the neck without spinal fixation, younger age, removal of bone at the second neck vertebra and surgery across more vertebral levels are associated with later spinal deformity or instability. Stabilizing the spine during tumor removal may therefore be considered in selected patients.
For tumors outside the spinal cord but inside its covering, a 2022 review compared 149 patients having minimally invasive surgery with 153 having open surgery across seven studies. During surgery and the hospital stay, the minimally invasive group had less blood loss, shorter operations and shorter stays. Rates of complete removal and surgical or medical complications were similar. These findings concern that tumor location and do not establish the better approach for tumors growing within the cord.
Evidence about tranexamic acid, a medicine used to reduce surgical bleeding, is mixed for meningioma removal. A 2024 review covering 781 patients found lower blood loss during surgery, with substantial variation between studies. A separate 2024 randomized trial of 600 patients having meningioma surgery in the upper part of the brain found no significant reduction in bleeding with a single dose. Neither comparison establishes long-term tumor control.
Surgery within the spinal cord carries a risk of problems with movement or sensation after the operation. Monitoring studies distinguish temporary from persistent movement problems; electrical monitoring helps detect risk rather than guaranteeing preserved function.
Seizures are one early risk after meningioma removal. In a randomized trial involving 600 patients having surgery for a meningioma in the upper part of the brain, seizures occurred within seven days in 13 of 300 patients given tranexamic acid (4.3%) and 11 of 300 given saline (3.7%). Those figures describe the trial groups, not an individual’s predicted risk. Other reported problems after meningioma surgery include headache and leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Early recovery after meningioma surgery can involve monitoring headaches and leakage of the fluid surrounding the brain. After tumor removal through the back of the neck without spinal fixation, follow-up also needs to check for changes in spinal alignment and stability. This is particularly relevant after surgery involving the second neck vertebra or several vertebral levels, and in younger adults.
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Mustafa Solak | Hisar Hospital Intercontinental Istanbul, Turkey | Mastectomy; Thyroid resection; Removal of liver cancer; Removal of colon cancer; Prostatectomy; Removal of spinal cord tumor; Melanoma surgery; Nephrectomy; Stomach cancer surgery; Da Vinci Robotic System; Esophagectomy; Small intestine resection; Robotic da Vinci prostatectomy; Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP); Breast cancer surgery; Hysterectomy (uterus removal); Lumpectomy; Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC); Whipple surgery; Orchiectomy; Mohs microsurgery; Hysterectomy with DaVinci robot; Lung cancer surgery; Bladder removal; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Liver resection; Removal of meningioma; Rectal resection; Removal of testicle tumor; Throat cancer operation; Tongue cancer surgery; Gastroectomy; Pancreatic cancer surgery; Bladder removal with reconstruction; Laparoscopic Hysterectomy In practice since 2006 | Ask about treatment |
Ibrahim Aliosmanoglu | Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex Antalya, Turkey | Whipple surgery; Liver resection; Removal of meningioma; Rectal resection; Removal of testicle tumor In practice since 2003 | Ask about treatment |
Baran Yılmaz | Istinye University Liv Hospital Bahcesehir Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor | Ask about treatment |
Baran Yil | Valued Med Hub Hospitals Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2005 | Ask about treatment |
Salih Murat Imer | Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma; Tongue cancer surgery In practice since 1985 | Ask about treatment |
Mehmet Tonge | Medipol University Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center (PARMER) Istanbul, Turkey | Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS); Removal of meningioma In practice since 2004 | Ask about treatment |
Erkan Kaptanoglu | Estexper Clinic Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 1992 | Ask about treatment |
Ahmet Karkucak | Büyük Anadolu Hospitals (BAH International) Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2019 | Ask about treatment |
Ramazan Sari | Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS); Removal of meningioma; Tongue cancer surgery In practice since 2004 | Ask about treatment |
Melih Uc | Valued Med Hub Hospitals Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 2007 | Ask about treatment |
Hasan Ozgur Ozdemir | Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex Antalya, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS); Removal of meningioma; Tongue cancer surgery In practice since 2002 | Ask about treatment |
Ramazan Uyar | Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex Antalya, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS); Removal of meningioma; Tongue cancer surgery In practice since 1991 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Ertugrul Pinar | Hisar Hospital Intercontinental Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2016 | Ask about treatment |
Tuncay Kaner | Medical Park Bahcelievler Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 1989 | Ask about treatment |
Kenan Kibici | Medical Park Bahcelievler Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 1993 | Ask about treatment |
Ibrahim Ziyal | Memorial Göztepe Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of meningioma In practice since 1996 | Ask about treatment |
Halil Can | İstinye University Liv Hospital Topkapı Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS); Removal of meningioma; Tongue cancer surgery In practice since 2007 | Ask about treatment |
Mehmet Aydogan | Memorial Şişli Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 1950 | Ask about treatment |
Ahmet Hilmi Kaya | Anadolu Medical Center Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 1996 | Ask about treatment |
Emad Abdallah | Turan Turan Health Group Bursa, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2012 | Ask about treatment |
Ayhan Kara | Central Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 1991 | Ask about treatment |
Zvi Cohen | Bookimed Batman, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 1999 | Ask about treatment |
Tansu Gursoy | Optimed International Hospital Tekirdag, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 2009 | Ask about treatment |
Mehmet Hakan Sahin | Atlas University Hospital Istanbul, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 2010 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Abdullah Emre Tacyildiz | Optimed International Hospital Tekirdag, Turkey | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2012 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Viola Fox | Medical Center in Solingen Solingen, Germany | Mastectomy; Thyroid resection; Removal of liver cancer; Removal of colon cancer; Prostatectomy; Melanoma surgery; Stomach cancer surgery; Da Vinci Robotic System; Esophagectomy; Small intestine resection; Robotic da Vinci prostatectomy; Breast cancer surgery; Hysterectomy (uterus removal); Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC); Whipple surgery; Hysterectomy with DaVinci robot; Lung cancer surgery; Colectomy (large bowel resection); Liver resection; Removal of meningioma; Rectal resection; Removal of testicle tumor; Throat cancer operation; Tongue cancer surgery; Gastroectomy; Pancreatic cancer surgery; Bladder removal with reconstruction; Laparoscopic Hysterectomy In practice since 2012 | Ask about treatment |
Ralf Buhl | Medical Center in Solingen Solingen, Germany | Thyroid resection; Removal of spinal cord tumor; Da Vinci Robotic System; Throat cancer operation; Tongue cancer surgery In practice since 1998 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Park Sundo | NAEUN HOSPITAL Incheon, Republic of Korea | Colectomy (large bowel resection); Removal of meningioma; Pancreatic cancer surgery In practice since 2000 | Ask about treatment |
Sangwon Hwang | Leadheal Hospital Seoul, Republic of Korea | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 1996 | Ask about treatment |
Han Yeongmin | NAEUN HOSPITAL Incheon, Republic of Korea | Removal of meningioma In practice since 1990 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Zvi Ram | Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) Tel Aviv, Israel | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 1989 | Ask about treatment |
Professor Shimon Rochkind | Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) Tel Aviv, Israel | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 1979 | Ask about treatment |
Shlomi Constantini | Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) Tel Aviv, Israel | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Da Vinci Robotic System In practice since 1984 | Ask about treatment |
Anton Wohl | Sheba Medical Center Ramat Gan, Israel | Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS); Removal of meningioma In practice since 2004 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Bartolome Oliver | Centro Médico Teknon Barcelona, Spain | Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS); Removal of meningioma In practice since 1976 | Ask about treatment |
Nnamdi Elenwoke | Centro Médico Teknon Barcelona, Spain | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2007 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Alexandru Cristescu | Ponderas Academic Hospital Bucharest, Romania | Removal of spinal cord tumor; Removal of meningioma In practice since 2010 | Ask about treatment |
| Specialist | Clinic | Operations and experience | Ask about treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
Siriporn Cheawchanwej | Somchai Clinic Bangkok, Thailand | Removal of spinal cord tumor In practice since 2000 | Ask about treatment |
| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyst Drainage & Steroid Implementation | Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital | USD 10000Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesCyst Drainage & Steroid Implementation Included: Consultation with a neurosurgeon Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Additional activities not included |
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| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consultations + Treatment program : radiotherapy | Anadolu Medical Center | USD 1360Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesConsultations + Treatment program : radiotherapy Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: Transfer airport-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included |
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| Thoracic Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection with Laminoplasty and Neurophysiological Monitoring | Anadolu Medical Center | USD 18000Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesThoracic Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection with Laminoplasty and Neurophysiological Monitoring Included: Brain tumor removal Included: Brain tumor surgery Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: General anesthesia Included: Consultation with an anesthesiologist Included: Medical Examination for pre-operation Included: Medications Included: Post-op medications Included: Electrocardiogram (ECG) Included: Hospitalization Included: Transfer airport-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Stay: 6 days in the hospital Additional source terms: This procedure is designed for thoracic intramedullary spinal cord tumors and performed using microsurgical techniques to safely remove the lesion while preserving spinal cord function. Thoracic laminoplasty is performed to maintain spinal stability, and continuous neurophysiological monitoring enhances surgical safety. Advanced microsurgical equipment supports controlled tumor excision, followed by structured postoperative monitoring and early recovery planning. Included Services Neurosurgery consultation and treatment planning Thoracic intramedullary tumor excision Thoracic laminoplasty (2 levels) Neurophysiological monitoring Standard pathological examination Anesthesia services All surgical materials and medications 1 night intensive care unit (ICU) stay 5 days ward hospitalization Accompanying person accommodation included |
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| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuromonitor-guided AVM or Tumor excision | Valued Med Hub Hospitals | USD 27000Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesNeuromonitor-guided AVM or Tumor excision Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: AVM Embolization Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included |
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| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convexity Tumor Resection | Memorial Göztepe Hospital | USD 24520Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesConvexity Tumor Resection Included: Removal of meningioma Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 4 days in the hospital |
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| Parasagittal Tumor Resection (Interhemispheric, Tentorial Region, etc.) | Memorial Göztepe Hospital | USD 26440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesParasagittal Tumor Resection (Interhemispheric, Tentorial Region, etc.) Included: Removal of meningioma Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 3 days in the hospital |
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| Removal of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) | Memorial Göztepe Hospital | USD 28440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesRemoval of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 6 days in the hospital |
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| skull base tumor Surgery | Memorial Göztepe Hospital | USD 40000Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesskull base tumor Surgery Included: Removal of meningioma Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Excluded: Transfer is not included |
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| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convexity Tumor Resection | Memorial Şişli Hospital | USD 24520Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesConvexity Tumor Resection Included: Removal of meningioma Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 4 days in the hospital |
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| Parasagittal Tumor Resection (Interhemispheric, Tentorial Region, etc.) | Memorial Şişli Hospital | USD 26440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesParasagittal Tumor Resection (Interhemispheric, Tentorial Region, etc.) Included: Removal of meningioma Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 3 days in the hospital |
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| Removal of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) | Memorial Şişli Hospital | USD 28440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesRemoval of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 6 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convexity Tumor Resection | Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital | USD 24520Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesConvexity Tumor Resection Included: Removal of meningioma Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 4 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Parasagittal Tumor Resection (Interhemispheric, Tentorial Region, etc.) | Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital | USD 26440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesParasagittal Tumor Resection (Interhemispheric, Tentorial Region, etc.) Included: Removal of meningioma Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 3 days in the hospital |
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| Removal of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) | Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital | USD 28440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesRemoval of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 6 days in the hospital |
Ask about treatment |
| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convexity Tumor Resection | Memorial Ataşehir Hospital | USD 24520Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesConvexity Tumor Resection Included: Removal of meningioma Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 4 days in the hospital |
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| Parasagittal Tumor Resection (Interhemispheric, Tentorial Region, etc.) | Memorial Ataşehir Hospital | USD 26440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesParasagittal Tumor Resection (Interhemispheric, Tentorial Region, etc.) Included: Removal of meningioma Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 3 days in the hospital |
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| Removal of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) | Memorial Ataşehir Hospital | USD 28440Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesRemoval of Lumbar Intramedullary Spinal Tumor (Including Laminectomy) Included: Removal of spinal cord tumor Included: Transfer airport-hotel-clinic-airport Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Hotel Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Stay: 6 days in the hospital |
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| Public programme | Clinic | Recorded price | Programme details | Request a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complex Brain Tumor Resection | Ponderas Academic Hospital | USD 17909.53Bookimed offer, Oct 2026 |
What the programme includesComplex Brain Tumor Resection Included: Removal of meningioma Excluded: Airfare Excluded: Additional activities not included Excluded: Accommodation is not included Excluded: Transfer is not included Stay: 4 days in the hospital Source differences
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