Treatment of tumors of the skull base, including pituitary tumors, meningiomas, chordomas, craniopharyngiomas and sinus tumors is complex.  A coordinated team is essential to achieving the best possible outcome for individual patients.  UNC is pleased that its skull base team includes members of the Radiation Oncology Department.  Radiation Oncologists partner with surgeons who are certified CyberKnife users.  Together we decide when minimally invasive CyberKnife treatment is appropriate for brain tumors.  This can help avoid a larger surgery in selected patients.

CyberKnife is a form of radiosurgery that involves precise pinpoint targeting of radiation beams to create a treatment plan without the need for surgery.  Frequently, the surgery is outpatient and is done in one or a few days.  UNC is a leading CyberKnife center with particular interests in expertise in applying this technology for complex skull base tumors.