I have nothing but good things to say about my experience with Dr. Akagami. He is a master at what he does. Marina his clinical assistant and his entire team at VGH are kind and professional. I was referred to Dr. Akagami 4 years ago after an MRI scan showed a brain tumor which was an incidental finding. Dr. Akagami recommended a watch and see for these 4 years, as the tumor was in a difficult to reach place and surgery had some risks. He closely monitored the tumor until he felt it was necessary to do surgery to remove it. Throughout and for all these years, it was very easy to reach Dr. Akagami, and Marina by email to ask questions, schedule my appointments and discuss my yearly MRI. Inspite of his busy schedule , Dr, Akagami always answered my questions in a timely manner and referred me to other doctors to discuss my treatment options before we went ahead with surgery. He was very patient and understanding of how big a decision that was for me; but he and everyone from the medical team always assured me that I was in good hands with Dr. Akagami. They could have not been more right about that!

Dr. Akagami did my brain surgery Feb 2024 and I came out of it with ZERO side effects. I was in the hospital for only 2 nights and recovered pretty fast too. In 2 to 4 weeks I was back to my normal life. Considering the location of the tumor and all other details, Dr. Akagami did a miracle that only speaks of how good he is at what he does. There are not enough words that can describe my gratitude to Dr. Akagami, Marina his clinical assistant, and his wonderful team at VGH.

Submitted April 23, 2024

Gave Mis-Diagnosis of a Pituitary Tumour in 2018 for our son. NO follow up or Biopsy's to confirm illness. 7 years and 2 Biopsy's in 2023/24 he is diagnosed with a Life Threatening Brain Cancer Germinoma. Striving to Live and Breath. Under a 2nd professional Neurosurgeon he is undergoing treatment in March 2024.

Submitted March 12, 2024

The VGH Tel number 6948755734 does not accept patient calls. Please include a telephone number that patients can call to check on their status. Thanks

Submitted June 16, 2023

Dr. Akagami and his receptionist Marina made me feel comfortable and safe during my entire experience of being diagnosed with a large Acoustic Neuroma (4.8cm). Dr. Akagami answered all of my questions before I even asked him, plus more. He is honest, and keeps you informed while being compassionate about your diagnosis and any possible complications. I appreciated Marinas honesty when she told me how far down on the waiting list I was for surgery. My surgery was over 14 hours long at Vancouver General Hospital. I am 23 years old, and now enjoying life as a young adult should, tumour free and very thankful.

Submitted Dec. 13, 2022

It is a year anniversary after Dr. Akagami did a brain surgery for me in April 2021.
I was diagnosed with a medium size Acoustic Neuroma in 2019 July. After waiting for 20 months, the size has grown to a big size. Yes, due to pandemic and Dr. Akagami’s busy schedule, it is a long wait.
Marina in Dr. Akagami’s office also provided detailed information and instructions before the surgery. She speaks a bit fast but that is her style. She knows her work well.
After a successful 7-hour brain surgery at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) in 2021 April, I am now tumour free. The hearing of my right ear is preserved at a minimum condition. I thank Dr. Akagami for doing such a successful surgery for me to keep my side effects at the minimum.
Dr. Ryojo Akagami and Dr. Brian Westerberg, paid close attention to me while I was at VGH. After the surgery, Dr. Akagami visited me everyday even on Saturday and Sunday. What a surprise! Dr. Westerberg also came a few time. I was happy and relieved every time I saw them., and told them how I felt. Their visits meant a lot to a patient. Their residences also came to check on me!
Thank you to the brain surgical team in VGH and the nursing team. They are all amazing and God bless them in their career to help their patients.
Last but not least, I am forever grateful to Dr. Akagami and Dr. Westerberg. If Dr. Akagami is your brain surgeon, you are certainly in good hands.

Submitted May 1, 2022

Dr Akigami performed the surgery to remove a tumour from my brain. Throughout the entire process, I felt I was his only patient. He is attentive and present as well as extremely skilled at his job. I am forever grateful to him and to Marina.

Submitted April 26, 2022

Very thorough, explained everything in detail. Was very happy with this factor znd his assistant Marina! Highly recommend this doctor!

Submitted Feb. 3, 2022

I was diagnosed with a macro pituitary adenoma in 2018. I started having vision loss in February 2018 and by June 2018 I could barely see out of my left eye. I got into to see Dr Akagami by July 25th. He determined I needed surgery almost immediately or I could potentially loose my eye sight completely. I had my surgery to remove my tumor on July 31, Dr. Akagami was so awesome. He informed me how they were going to remove the tumor, what are some complications that can occur during the surgery, and made me feel very comfortable about everything. He was very easy to understand and he explained everything in terms that my family and I could understand. He was very person alible and know how important this surgery is for a 20 year that is loosing their vision. After the surgery he checked on me everyday, and he still calls me every year for a check up.

Submitted Dec. 14, 2021

I was diagnosed with a large petroclival meningioma in 2018. It’s very rare , I believe only 0.15 % of tumours. My condition was very bad by the time I found out, basically I was already knocking on heaven’s door. It was found during a CT scan that I had to investigate double vision & I had no clue of the tumour. They came out & told me I needed emergency surgery & were transferring me out to a bigger hospital. Unfortunately I was seen by two neurosurgeons who both said “it’s worse then we thought, I can’t do it” . Fortunately I was finally referred on to Dr. Akagami, who agreed to take my case. He told me I had a large tumour that was in the worst place in the human body, had completely covered & shifted my brain stem & that soon you will go to sleep & not wake up again but if I agreed he would do the surgery & that it was very risky & complicated but he felt that I still had a lot of life left to live & deserved that. He then sent me for several pre-op tests for surgery. Dr. Akagami along with Dr. Westerburg , who is also excellent & team of twenty for a 12 hour surgery . I was a lot of work! So even though this process took over a month, I understood after that if I had the surgery right after I was first told, with someone else I wouldn’t have survived it. He is so busy but took the time to visit me in hospital almost every day for a month. I call him my super genius neurosurgeon, he truly is brilliant, kind & calm. During the first appointment that he took a lot of time to to explain all the complicated details, I sat there & just cried buckets of tears. He let me & remained calm & patient & explained it all very well. . His ability to do that gave me a lot of confidence in him, when he was done I didn’t hesitate even for a second & said I opt for the surgery. I will never forget his kindness, skills & knowledge that gave me a chance to remain on earth with my loved ones longer. His nickname is the best in the west but I think he’s the best in the universe .

Submitted Nov. 14, 2021

12 years ago today, Dr. Akagami and his team performed my perfect brain surgery! I have never felt better and blessed to have been saved by this man!

Submitted Nov. 3, 2021