Brain tumors in children

Our team of experienced children’s cancer professionals is nationally-ranked for pediatric cancer care. We are actively involved in research to further understand brain tumors in children and are proud to be at the forefront of advanced personalized medicine, with national collaborations moving this research forward. We offer a multidisciplinary, weekly pediatric brain tumor conference, which includes pediatric oncologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and other pediatric medical specialists. Together, we can help your child get through treatment with as few side effects as possible. This makes us uniquely positioned to provide hope and support for children with brain tumors such as gliomas and medulloblastomas.

Brain tumors are the second most common form of childhood cancer. Medulloblastoma is a type of brain tumor. Gliomas are tumors that occur in the brain and spinal cord. A brain tumor begins when healthy cells in the brain change and grow out of control, forming a mass. A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread. Symptoms depend on a child's age and the location of the tumor, but may include headache, vomiting, slurred speech, vision changes, seizures and balance problems.

Our pediatric oncologists use the clinical genomic analysis to create a personalized treatment plan. Our pediatric neurosurgeons collaborate closely with oncologists on treatment, which usually begins with a neurosurgical procedure. In order to provide guidance during surgery and work towards the best possible treatment results, our pediatric neurosurgeons use state-of-the-art techniques and tools like: 

• Minimally invasive approaches 
• Neuro-navigation, which is computer-assisted technology to guide the surgeon 
• Intraoperative MRI to check if all of the tumor has been removed during surgery 
• Intraoperative neuromonitoring for real-time feedback of the function of nerves, brain and spinal cord 

Advances in radiation therapy and multi-agent chemotherapy are also contributing to better outcomes than in the past. 

We offer a multidisciplinary, weekly brain tumor conference, dedicated to improving the lives of children with brain tumors. Our brain tumor team includes pediatric oncologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and other pediatric medical specialists. Together, we can help your child get through treatment with as few side effects as possible.