University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen – Germany
About Prof. Dr. med. Michael Buchfelder
Prof. Dr. med. Michael Buchfelder is the Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at University Hospital Erlangen / Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. With 23+ years of experience leading a department that performs 2,500+ surgical interventions and 400+ spine operations annually, he is internationally recognised for pituitary surgery (Cushing's disease, aggressive adenomas and carcinomas) and cavernous sinus invasion.
- 23+ years of experience in Neurosurgery
- Graduation in Medicine — Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
- Neurosurgical Training under Prof. Rudolf Fahlbusch (long-term cooperation)
- 2002–2005 Professor of Neurosurgery — University of Göttingen, Germany
- Currently — Professor and Chairman / Chief Physician of the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Erlangen
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- Graduation in Medicine — Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
Fellowships & Special Training
- Neurosurgical training under Prof. Rudolf Fahlbusch — long-term cooperation
- Specialised training in Pituitary and Hypothalamic Tumour Surgery
- Specialised training in Transsphenoidal Surgery for Cushing's Disease
- Specialised training in Aggressive Pituitary Adenoma and Pituitary Carcinoma Surgery
- Specialised training in Cavernous Sinus Surgery
- Specialised training in Spinal Surgery (incl. Stabilisation Procedures)
- Specialised training in Endoscopic Neurosurgical Interventions
- Specialised training in Acoustic Neuroma Surgery
- Specialised training in Surgical Treatment of Epilepsy
- Specialised training in Treatment of Cerebral Aneurysms and Hemangiomas
Certifications & Accreditations
- German Medical Council Registration
- German Society for Neurosurgery — Member
- German Society of Endocrinology — Member
- US Endocrine Society — Member
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) — Member
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) — Member
- Honorary memberships in several national and international scientific organisations
Areas of Expertise
Major Conditions Treated
- Pituitary Adenomas (incl. Aggressive)
- Pituitary Carcinomas
- Hypothalamic Tumours
- Cushing's Disease
- Acromegaly & Other Functioning Pituitary Tumours
- Cavernous Sinus Invasion (Pituitary Tumours)
- Acoustic Neuroma
- Brain Tumours (Glioma, Meningioma)
- Skull Base Tumours
- Spinal Tumours
- Lumbar & Cervical Disc Disease
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spinal Stabilisation
- Cerebral Aneurysms
- Cerebral Hemangiomas
- Epilepsy (Surgical Indications)
Sub-specialties
- Pituitary & Skull Base Surgery: Internationally recognised pituitary neurosurgeon — particularly expert in transsphenoidal surgery for Cushing's disease, aggressive pituitary adenomas, pituitary carcinomas and cavernous sinus invasion — a leading Neurosurgeon specialist in Germany for international patients.
- Spinal Surgery: Comprehensive spinal surgery — department performs 400+ spine operations per year, including stabilisation procedures.
- Endoscopic, Vascular & Epilepsy Neurosurgery: Specialised in endoscopic interventions, acoustic neuroma surgery, surgical treatment of epilepsy, treatment of cerebral aneurysms and hemangiomas — relevant for international patients researching the best neurosurgeon in Germany.
Advanced Procedures & Treatments
- Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery
- Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery
- Surgery for Aggressive Pituitary Adenomas and Carcinomas
- Cavernous Sinus Surgery (Pituitary Invasion)
- Cushing's Disease Surgery (Selective Adenomectomy)
- Skull Base Tumour Surgery
- Acoustic Neuroma Surgery
- Brain Tumour Surgery (Glioma, Meningioma)
- Spinal Tumour Surgery
- Spinal Stabilisation
- Lumbar & Cervical Disc Surgery
- Endoscopic Neurosurgical Interventions
- Cerebral Aneurysm Clipping
- Cerebral Hemangioma Surgery
- Epilepsy Surgery
- Surveillance Imaging Strategies for Pituitary Adenomas
Professional Experience
Current Affiliation
- Professor and Chairman / Chief Physician — Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Erlangen / Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany (Present)
Past Affiliations
- Professor of Neurosurgery — University of Göttingen, Germany (2002–2005)
- Neurosurgical training under Prof. Rudolf Fahlbusch — long-term cooperation (Past)
- Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich — Medical Studies (Past)
Academic & Research Roles
- Editorial board — Central European Neurosurgery
- Editorial board — Neurosurgical Reviews
- Honorary memberships in several national and international scientific organisations and societies
- Active researcher — pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of pituitary and hypothalamic tumours
- Active conference speaker
- Author of numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals
Key Achievements
- 23+ years of experience in Neurosurgery
- Professor and Chairman / Chief Physician of the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Erlangen — one of the largest neurosurgery facilities in Germany
- Department performs 2,500+ surgical interventions per year, 5,500+ outpatients and 400+ spine operations annually
- Internationally recognised pituitary neurosurgeon
- Editorial boards of Central European Neurosurgery and Neurosurgical Reviews
- Honorary memberships in multiple scientific organisations
- Trained under Prof. Rudolf Fahlbusch (long-term cooperation)
Awards & Recognitions
National & International Awards
- Honorary memberships in several national and international scientific organisations and societies
- Editorial board — Central European Neurosurgery
- Editorial board — Neurosurgical Reviews
- Numerous peer-reviewed publications in pituitary surgery, Cushing's disease, aggressive pituitary adenomas and cavernous sinus invasion
Professional Memberships
- German Society for Neurosurgery
- German Society of Endocrinology
- US Endocrine Society
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
- German Medical Council
Research & Publications
Published Papers (Selected)
- Buchfelder M, Schlaffer S-M. "Surgery of aggressive pituitary adenomas and pituitary carcinomas — interdisciplinary management." 2020.
- Buchfelder M. "Pituitary surgery for Cushing's disease." (PubMed PMID: 20829628).
- Yuen KC, Ghalib L, Buchfelder M, Hughes J, Langlois F, Molitch ME. "Surveillance imaging strategies for pituitary adenomas: when, how frequent and when to stop." 2023.
- Buchfelder M. "Advances in Pituitary Adenoma Surgery." Skull Base Surgery 17(S 01).
- Multiple publications on pituitary adenomas with cavernous sinus invasion, USP8 genotype risk of recurrence after Cushing's surgery, and tumour size correlation with hormonal oversecretion in functioning pituitary adenomas.
Ongoing Research & Clinical Interests
- Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of pituitary and hypothalamic tumours
- Aggressive pituitary adenomas and pituitary carcinomas
- Cushing's disease and transsphenoidal surgery
- Cavernous sinus invasion by pituitary adenomas
- Surveillance imaging strategies for pituitary adenomas
- Endoscopic skull base surgery
Estimated Treatment Costs
| Procedure / Consultation | Estimated Cost (EUR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Neurosurgery Consultation | €400 – €800 | $430 – $870 |
| Transsphenoidal / Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery | €20,000 – €35,000 | $21,700 – $38,000 |
| Aggressive Pituitary Adenoma / Carcinoma Surgery | €25,000 – €45,000 | $27,100 – $48,800 |
| Cushing's Disease Surgery (Selective Adenomectomy) | €20,000 – €35,000 | $21,700 – $38,000 |
| Skull Base Tumour Surgery | €30,000 – €55,000 | $32,500 – $59,700 |
| Acoustic Neuroma Surgery | €25,000 – €45,000 | $27,100 – $48,800 |
| Cerebral Aneurysm Clipping | €20,000 – €35,000 | $21,700 – $38,000 |
| Spinal Stabilisation Surgery | €18,000 – €35,000 | $19,500 – $38,000 |
| Lumbar / Cervical Disc Surgery | €10,000 – €18,000 | $10,800 – $19,500 |
| Epilepsy Surgery | €25,000 – €45,000 | $27,100 – $48,800 |
*Indicative estimates only. Actual costs subject to hospital pricing, case complexity, and insurance. Contact Cancer Rounds for a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What advanced technologies does Prof. Dr. med. Michael Buchfelder use in Neurosurgeon treatment?
Prof. Dr. med. Michael Buchfelder uses some of Europe's most advanced neurosurgery technologies including modern transsphenoidal pituitary surgery (selective adenomectomy for Cushing's disease), modern endoscopic pituitary surgery, modern surgery for aggressive pituitary adenomas and carcinomas, modern cavernous sinus surgery, modern skull base surgery, modern acoustic neuroma surgery, modern cerebral aneurysm clipping, modern spinal stabilisation surgery and modern epilepsy surgery. Virtual second opinions are also available for international patients.
2. What conditions does Prof. Dr. med. Michael Buchfelder specialize in treating?
Prof. Dr. med. Michael Buchfelder specialises in pituitary adenomas (including aggressive), pituitary carcinomas, hypothalamic tumours, Cushing's disease, acromegaly and other functioning pituitary tumours, cavernous sinus invasion by pituitary tumours, acoustic neuroma, brain tumours, skull base tumours, spinal tumours, lumbar and cervical disc disease, spinal stenosis, spinal stabilisation, cerebral aneurysms, cerebral hemangiomas, and epilepsy — making him one of Europe's leading Neurosurgeon specialists for international patients seeking pituitary and skull base care in Germany.
3. How do I book an appointment with Prof. Dr. med. Michael Buchfelder?
Appointments with Prof. Dr. med. Michael Buchfelder can be booked directly through the Cancer Rounds website or by contacting their international patient department for priority scheduling.
4. Can international patients receive treatment from Prof. Dr. med. Michael Buchfelder?
Yes. Cancer Rounds provides full assistance for international patients seeking treatment from Prof. Dr. med. Michael Buchfelder, including medical visa invitation letters, airport transfers, and local accommodation coordination.
5. What support is available for international patients?
International patients benefit from a dedicated concierge service provided by Cancer Rounds, including language interpretation, financial counselling, and pre-travel virtual consultations to review medical records before arrival.
6. Does Prof. Dr. med. Michael Buchfelder offer second opinions for Neurosurgeon cases?
Yes. Second opinion consultations can be arranged via Cancer Rounds for patients who wish to review their diagnosis or treatment plan with the Professor and Chairman of Neurosurgery at University Hospital Erlangen — whose department performs 2,500+ surgical interventions per year — particularly relevant for pituitary tumours (including aggressive adenomas and carcinomas), Cushing's disease, cavernous sinus invasion, skull base tumours, acoustic neuroma and complex spinal cases.
