Your Guide to Advanced Skull Base Tumor Treatment in LA

Facing a skull base tumor diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but those in and around Los Angeles are fortunate to have some of the most advanced treatment options available anywhere in the United States. 

According to the American Brain Tumor Association, around 70,000 Americans are diagnosed with primary brain tumors each year, with skull base tumors representing some of the most challenging cases to treat. Understanding both the diagnostic procedures and treatment options available is essential for making informed decisions about your care. This knowledge empowers you to ask the right questions, better understand your medical team's recommendations, and actively participate in your treatment journey. 

Read on for a thorough overview of everything you need to know about skull base tumor treatment in LA, from initial diagnosis to recovery, with insights from the best neurosurgeon in Los Angeles.

What Are Skull Base Tumors?

Skull base tumors are abnormal growths that develop in or near the base of the skull. 

These tumors can be non-cancerous, also known as benign, or malignant, meaning cancerous. They are categorized by their location and cell type of origin: 

• Pituitary tumors: These arise from the pituitary gland and can disrupt hormone production throughout the body. 
• Glioblastomas: An aggressive malignant tumor formed from glial cells that can invade nearby brain tissue rapidly. 
• Meningiomas: Typically benign tumors that develop in the meninges, a protective layer covering the brain, and grow slowly, but can press against critical structures as they expand. 

The skull base houses vital nerves and blood vessels, making treatment particularly challenging as expert skull base surgeons in Los Angeles must navigate these essential structures. 

Symptoms of Skull Base Tumors

One of the most common questions our patients ask us is, “What are the symptoms of skull base tumors?” While many symptoms can also be symptoms of more benign medical problems, having more than one persistent symptom usually warrants testing: 

• Headaches: Often persistent and worse in the morning or when lying down
• Vision changes: Including double vision, blurred vision, or partial vision loss as tumors press on the optic nerves
• Facial numbness or pain: Particularly when tumors affect the trigeminal nerve
• Hearing loss or ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus
• Balance problems: Dizziness, vertigo, or difficulty maintaining equilibrium due to pressure on vestibular structures
• Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia, particularly when tumors affect the lower cranial nerves
• Hormonal imbalances: Including irregular periods, unexplained weight gain/loss, or decreased libido, particularly with pituitary tumors
• Nasal congestion or nosebleeds: For tumors extending into the nasal cavity
• Cognitive changes: Memory problems, personality changes, or confusion as tumors grow and create pressure
• Seizures: When tumors irritate the brain's electrical activity

How Are Skull Base Tumors Diagnosed?

Tumors at the base of the skull are diagnosed using a combination of advanced imaging tests and expert evaluation to pinpoint both the location and nature of the tumor. This process usually begins with high-resolution MRI and CT scans, which allow neurosurgeons to map the tumor’s size, shape, and relationship to critical structures like cranial nerves and blood vessels. 

For certain cases, especially when imaging alone can’t confirm the tumor type, a biopsy is performed. This procedure allows for a more detailed examination under a microscope, revealing whether the tumor is benign or malignant and helping guide treatment. 

Pituitary tumors often require hormonal blood tests alongside imaging, while glioblastomas may involve a stereotactic biopsy due to their aggressive nature. Meningiomas are typically identified on imaging alone, but tissue sampling can help clarify the diagnosis when non-typical features are present. 

What Are the Treatment Options for Pituitary Tumors?

Treatment options for pituitary tumors depend on the tumor’s size, growth pattern, and whether it’s affecting hormone levels or nearby structures like the optic nerves. For small, non-functioning tumors that aren’t causing symptoms, careful observation with routine imaging and hormone monitoring may be all that’s needed. 

When treatment is necessary, a minimally invasive procedure performed through the nasal passages, known as a transsphenoidal procedure, is often the preferred approach for removing the tumor while preserving surrounding tissue. 

Hormone-secreting tumors may also require medical therapies that block excess hormone production or shrink the tumor. In some cases, radiation therapy is used as a follow-up to surgery or as an alternative for tumors that can’t be safely removed. 

How Is Glioblastoma Treated?

Glioblastoma is a fast-growing brain tumor that needs an aggressive, well-planned treatment approach. The first step in treating this life-threatening tumor is usually surgery to remove as much of the tumor as safely possible while protecting important areas of the brain. After surgery, most patients go through radiation therapy and chemotherapy to target any remaining cancer cells. These combined treatments help slow the tumor’s growth and improve survival. Because glioblastoma can be hard to remove entirely, treatment often continues over time with regular monitoring and follow-up care.

How are Meningiomas Treated?

Meningiomas are usually slow-growing tumors. Treatment depends on their size, location of the tumor, and whether they cause symptoms. For larger tumors, surgery to remove the entire tumor while protecting nearby brain tissue is the gold standard approach to treatment. If some of the tumor can’t be safely removed, or if it grows back later, radiation therapy may be used to target the remaining cells. 

Small meningiomas that aren’t causing any problems are often just watched over time with regular imaging. This helps avoid unnecessary treatment while still keeping the tumor under control.

What Should Patients Expect During Recovery from Skull Base Tumor Surgery?

After treatment for a skull base tumor, recovery is a gradual process that often includes rehabilitation to help with speech, movement, or balance, depending on the type of tumor and area of the brain affected. Some patients may also need help managing side effects like fatigue, headaches, or changes in hormone levels. 

Regular follow-up appointments and imaging, such as MRIs, are very important to make sure the tumor hasn’t returned or spread to other parts of the brain. If there are signs of recurrence, doctors may recommend additional treatment like radiation or surgery. Ongoing care is tailored to each patient to support long-term recovery and quality of life.

Find the Best Neurosurgeons in Los Angeles for Expert Skull Base Treatments at California Neurosurgical Specialists 

California Neurosurgical Specialists offers a rare blend of technical mastery, personalized care, and global expertise in the heart of Los Angeles. At our state-of-the-art clinic, patients with skull base tumors are treated by a team led by Dr. Arnau Benet, a neurosurgeon whose training spans top institutions in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., including mentorship under some of the most respected names in the field. 

Our thoughtful, patient-centered approach matches this depth of experience: surgeries are meticulously planned to protect quality of life, follow-up care is proactive, and each treatment plan is uniquely tailored to the individual. Our practice combines cutting-edge microsurgical techniques with compassionate support, ensuring patients don’t have to travel far to receive care that meets the highest international standards.

Ready to get expert, personalized care from the best neurosurgeon in Los Angeles?