Tarzana’s Expert in Spinal Tumor Surgery: What Sets Dr. Macyszyn Apart
February 13, 2026
For San Fernando Valley residents facing a spinal tumor diagnosis, the search for an expert neurosurgeon often leads downtown or to the Westside. But Tarzana now offers convenient access to one of Los Angeles’ leading specialists in spinal tumor removal—right in your community.
As a spine surgeon near me serving the Valley through my Tarzana practice, I’ve dedicated my career to mastering the delicate art of spinal tumor surgery. Today, I want to share what makes specialized tumor surgery different from routine spine procedures and why location matters when choosing your surgeon.
Most spine surgeons focus primarily on degenerative conditions—herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and arthritis. These are important conditions, but spinal tumor removal requires an entirely different skill set and approach.
Intradural-extramedullary tumors (inside the spinal canal, outside the spinal cord)
Extradural tumors (outside the spinal canal)
Intramedullary tumors (within the spinal cord itself)
Each type requires specific surgical approaches, and the consequences of inexperienced surgery can be devastating—permanent paralysis, chronic pain, or incomplete tumor removal leading to recurrence.
General spine surgeons may encounter only a handful of spinal tumors in their entire career. As a neurosurgeon Los Angeles patients seek out specifically for tumor surgery, I’ve completed advanced training in these complex procedures and perform them regularly.
This concentrated expertise means I can recognize subtle anatomical variations, navigate challenging tumor locations, and maximize the chances of complete removal while preserving neurological function.
Valley residents shouldn’t have to fight traffic to downtown LA or West LA for world-class neurosurgical care. My Tarzana practice brings specialized spinal tumor expertise to your community.
Reduced travel burden during treatment Spinal tumor surgery typically requires multiple visits—initial consultation, pre-operative testing, surgery, and follow-up appointments. Having your surgeon close to home in Tarzana eliminates hours of driving during an already stressful time.
Familiar, comfortable environment Many of my Tarzana patients appreciate receiving care in their own community, where parking is easier, the atmosphere is less overwhelming than major medical centers, and the personal touch makes a difference.
Access to the same expertise as major medical centers My training at UCLA and ongoing academic affiliations mean you receive the same level of expertise available at major medical centers, just minutes from home in the Valley.
Quick access for urgent concerns If questions or concerns arise during recovery, you can reach our Tarzana office quickly rather than facing a long drive across LA.
Spinal tumor removal requires extreme precision. These tumors grow intimately connected to delicate neural structures—the spinal cord and nerve roots that control everything from breathing to walking to bladder function.
High-powered surgical microscopes Every tumor surgery I perform uses advanced magnification, allowing me to visualize and protect individual nerve fibers during tumor dissection. This level of precision simply isn’t possible with the naked eye or loupes.
Intraoperative neuromonitoring Throughout surgery, specialized equipment continuously monitors your nerve and spinal cord function in real-time. If any surgical maneuver risks nerve damage, we receive immediate feedback and can adjust technique.
Minimally invasive approaches when possible Not all spinal tumors require large incisions. For appropriate cases, I use minimally invasive techniques that reduce tissue trauma while still achieving complete tumor removal. Many patients go home the same day or next morning.
Complete tumor removal The goal is always complete resection when safely possible. Incomplete removal often means the tumor will regrow, requiring additional surgery. My training and experience maximize the chances of total removal in a single procedure.
While I’m proud to serve Tarzana and the San Fernando Valley, patients also travel from throughout Los Angeles, California, and beyond for spinal tumor surgery. Here’s what they frequently tell me sets our practice apart:
Personalized, unhurried consultations I personally review every patient’s MRI images—not a physician assistant or resident. Our consultations take whatever time necessary to thoroughly discuss your diagnosis, surgical options, risks, and expected outcomes.
Transparent communication You’ll receive honest answers about success rates, potential complications, and realistic recovery timelines. If I don’t think surgery is the best option, I’ll tell you that too.
Coordination with oncology when needed For malignant tumors or metastatic disease, I work closely with oncologists to ensure surgery fits appropriately within your overall cancer treatment plan.
Focus on quality of life Surgery isn’t just about removing the tumor—it’s about preserving or restoring your neurological function and getting you back to living your life. This philosophy guides every decision I make.
While every case is unique, here’s what my typical spinal tumor patients experience:
Schwannomas These nerve sheath tumors are among the most common spinal tumors I remove. They typically grow slowly but can cause significant nerve compression. The good news: they’re almost always benign and can usually be completely removed with excellent outcomes.
Meningiomas These tumors arise from the membranes surrounding the spinal cord. They’re typically benign but require careful surgical technique to remove completely without injuring the spinal cord. Location matters significantly—thoracic meningiomas are often more challenging than cervical or lumbar ones.
Metastatic tumors When cancer spreads to the spine from another organ, surgery may be necessary to decompress the spinal cord and stabilize the spine. These cases require coordination with your oncology team and may be combined with radiation therapy.
Neurofibromas Often associated with neurofibromatosis, these tumors can be more challenging to remove completely because they’re more intertwined with nerve tissue. Specialized microsurgical technique is essential.
You might wonder: neurosurgeon versus spine surgeon—what’s the difference? For spinal tumors, this distinction matters significantly.
Neurosurgeons receive seven years of training specifically focused on the nervous system—brain, spinal cord, and nerves. This extensive training in microsurgical technique and neural anatomy is essential for safely removing tumors that grow in intimate contact with delicate neural structures.
As a board-certified neurosurgeon with fellowship training in spine surgery, I bring both skill sets to your care—the microsurgical precision of neurosurgery and the specialized knowledge of complex spine surgery.
If you’re searching for a “spine surgeon near me” or “neurosurgeon Los Angeles” for spinal tumor removal, here are essential questions to ask:
These questions help identify surgeons with genuine expertise in this specialized area.
My neurosurgery training at UCLA provided exposure to some of the most complex spinal tumors in the world. That academic foundation continues to inform my practice through:
You benefit from this academic connection while receiving care in the more personalized, accessible environment of private practice in Tarzana.
Certain symptoms should prompt immediate evaluation by a neurosurgeon:
Red flag symptoms:
Imaging findings that require neurosurgical evaluation:
If your doctor has mentioned any of these findings, don’t delay consultation with a spinal tumor specialist.
Spinal tumor surgery is just one part of your journey. My practice provides comprehensive care including:
You’re not just a surgical case—you’re a person whose life has been disrupted by a spinal tumor, and our goal is to help you return to normalcy as completely as possible.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a spinal tumor, or if imaging has revealed a concerning spinal lesion, you need an expert evaluation from a neurosurgeon specializing in spinal tumor removal.
My Tarzana practice offers convenient access to specialized care without the need to travel downtown or to the Westside. Valley residents deserve world-class neurosurgical expertise close to home.
Schedule your consultation today to discuss your diagnosis, surgical options, and expected outcomes. Together, we’ll create a treatment plan that addresses your specific tumor while prioritizing your neurological function and quality of life.
For patients requiring spinal tumor surgery, the right surgeon makes all the difference. Let’s determine if I’m that surgeon for you.
