Ilya Laufer, MD

I always liked the idea of using science to help others. My father is a doctor, and he inspired me to follow in his footsteps. As a neurosurgeon, I see people who have all types of spinal disorders. I enjoy interacting with my patients and appreciate the opportunity to become a part of their lives and help them recover.

The field of neurosurgery is progressing rapidly, with many advancements in making diagnoses and in surgical techniques and outcomes for patients. I am lucky to be a part of the exciting changes on the horizon. I specialize in minimally invasive surgery, helping patients to recover quickly and go home sooner. We use the latest technology available to manage the full range of spinal disorders.

As the director of the Spine Tumor Program, which is part of the Brain and Spine Tumor Center at Perlmutter Cancer Center, I treat patients with a wide range of spinal neoplasms, or abnormal tissue growths, including metastatic tumors, rare primary bone tumors, and tumors of the nerves and spinal cord—all of which require a specialized treatment approach.

I work closely with a multidisciplinary team at NYU Langone and Perlmutter Cancer Center to develop a comprehensive treatment plan and make the best decisions for patients. Our team comprises specialists from every field, including radiation oncology, medical oncology, neurosurgery, and interventional radiology. We also work with rehabilitation medicine experts, who can help manage pain and provide therapy.

As a doctor, I take the time to get know each patient and family and understand their goals and circumstances. I partner with my patients. Together, we make the best decisions and find solutions to their medical problems. I provide efficient care, so most patients can get an appointment in one to two days and leave the visit with a clear treatment plan.

My research focuses on improving the outcomes of spinal tumor care and incorporating minimally invasive techniques into spinal tumor surgery. I serve on the steering committee of AO Spine Knowledge Forum Tumor, an international organization that focuses on spine tumor research and education. I am also co-primary investigator of an international tumor registry and research trial platform, called the Metastatic Tumor Research and Outcomes Network, that collects outcomes data on patients with various spine tumors with the goal of improving care.

I am a founding member of the North American Spine Society’s Spine Oncology section and a member of the American Academy of Neurological Surgery.