Expert Neurosurgical Care for Brain & Spine Tumors

The most important first step is to consult a neurosurgeon who specializes in your specific type of tumor. Not all brain and spine tumors are treated the same way, and fellowship-trained neurosurgical oncologists can offer treatment options that general neurosurgeons may not. Call our office at 732-235-6333 or request a consultation online. Dr. Sherman's team will review your imaging and medical records before your appointment so your time together is focused on your diagnosis and next steps.

Second opinions are common and encouraged in neurosurgical oncology, and Dr. Sherman welcomes them. To start, request a consultation online or call 732-235-6333. Our team will ask you to share your most recent MRI imaging, pathology reports if available, and a summary of any treatment recommendations you've already received. Dr. Sherman will personally review your case before your appointment and walk you through his perspective on your diagnosis and the treatment options available to you.

A neurosurgical oncologist is a neurosurgeon with additional fellowship training focused specifically on the surgical treatment of brain and spine tumors. Dr. Sherman completed this subspecialty fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The training covers advanced techniques like awake craniotomy, fluorescence-guided surgery, and laser ablation that aren't part of general neurosurgical training. For complex or rare tumors, this specialized experience can meaningfully affect both surgical outcomes and the range of treatment options available to you.

The right treatment depends on the type, size, and location of your tumor, as well as your overall health and personal goals. Dr. Sherman takes a multidisciplinary approach, working alongside neuro-oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other specialists at Rutgers Cancer Institute to build a treatment plan tailored to each patient. In some cases surgery is the best first step; in others, radiation, observation, or enrollment in a clinical trial may offer better outcomes. Your consultation will include a clear explanation of the options Dr. Sherman thinks are most relevant to your case.

Our team responds to all consultation requests within one business day, and we work to schedule new patient appointments as quickly as possible, particularly for newly diagnosed patients and those seeking urgent second opinions. For urgent referrals, Dr. Sherman can typically see you the same week or the following week. If your situation is time-sensitive, let us know when you call and we'll do everything we can to accommodate.

To make the most of your consultation, please bring or send in advance: your most recent brain or spine MRI imaging (on a disc or via electronic records), any pathology reports if you've had a biopsy, a list of current medications, and a summary of any prior treatments or specialist opinions. If you'd like, you're also welcome to bring a family member or trusted friend to take notes and help you remember the discussion. Dr. Sherman's team can help coordinate records transfer from your current providers; just call 732-235-6333.

Dr. Sherman personally reviews every new patient case before the consultation, and you will meet with him directly at your appointment. His team handles scheduling, records coordination, and follow-up logistics, but the clinical review of your imaging, your diagnosis, and your treatment options comes from Dr. Sherman himself.

Yes, and it's encouraged. A brain or spine tumor diagnosis is a lot to process, and having a trusted family member or friend with you can help you remember details, ask questions you might not think of, and support you through the decision-making process. There is no limit on who you can bring; just let our team know in advance so we can make sure the room is set up comfortably.