When it comes to pediatric brain tumors, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The patients are incredibly vulnerable, the science is rapidly evolving, and every decision matters.
This is the world of pediatric neuro-oncology.
Each year, about 5,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with brain or spinal cord tumors. While far fewer than adult cases, childhood tumors present unique challenges. Over the past two decades, what was once thought to be a small group of tumor types has expanded into more than 150 distinct subtypes, each with its own molecular fingerprint. That complexity demands highly specialized expertise, advanced technology and seamless collaboration.
“At Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, our mission is to offer hope and better outcomes for children facing brain and spinal tumors,” says Praveen Raju, MD, PhD, Nathan Gordon Chair in Neuro-Oncology and director of pediatric neuro-oncology at Rady Children’s and the UC San Diego School of Medicine. “Every child is a developing individual with unique needs and a future worth protecting. That means collaborating across disciplines, using the most advanced technologies available and pushing research forward—all while keeping the child and family at the center of care.”
At Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, experts aren’t just keeping pace with these advances, they’re helping lead the way. Here are five ways Rady Children’s is transforming care for children with brain and spinal tumors.
- A Highly Specialized, Team-Based Approach
Rady Children’s cares for nearly 800 children with central nervous system tumors, making it one of the largest pediatric neuro-oncology programs in the country. With that volume comes deep expertise—and an emphasis on teamwork.
“Pediatric brain and spinal tumors are among the most challenging diseases we treat,” Dr. Raju says. “At Rady Children’s, we’re not just treating tumors, we’re tailoring care to each child through close collaboration across specialties.”
Neurosurgeons, ENT/skull base surgeons, radiation oncologists and a dedicated team of eight neuro-oncology providers work together to plan each child’s care. Sub-specialization allows physicians to focus on specific tumor types, including medulloblastoma, high-grade glioma and rare infant brain tumors. The team also includes experts who bridge pediatric and adult care for adolescents and young adults, ensuring continuity through every stage of treatment.
- Advanced Proton Therapy Designed for Children
Rady Children’s is the pediatric provider at one of only five state-of-the-art proton therapy centers in the western United States. Using advanced pencil-beam scanning technology, proton therapy can deliver radiation with pinpoint accuracy—often within 2 millimeters—while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
“Children aren’t just small adults,” Dr. Raju explains. “Developing brains and bodies require treatments that are both effective and as gentle as possible. Proton therapy helps us strike that balance by reducing long-term side effects while still targeting tumors precisely.”
Rady Children’s cares for children at the highest-volume pediatric radiation treatment center in California, offering families access to some of the most advanced radiation options available.
- Precision Medicine Through Genomics
Through its close partnership with the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine, the neuro-oncology team can analyze tumors at the molecular level, helping guide more personalized treatment decisions.
“We’re treating the child, not just the diagnosis,” says Dr. Raju.
Rady Children’s multidisciplinary molecular neuro-oncology tumor board reviews each case using advanced genomic testing. Tumor cells may be analyzed against FDA-approved drugs to identify targeted therapies that go beyond traditional chemotherapy. Nearly 80 patients have already benefited from this precision-medicine approach, helping move pediatric neuro-oncology toward more personalized, effective care.
- Access to Leading Clinical Trials
For families facing a brain tumor diagnosis—especially when tumors return—access to new treatment options can be critical. Rady Children’s offers children opportunities to participate in cutting-edge clinical trials, including those not widely available elsewhere.
The hospital is an active member of major national and international research groups, including the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC), St. Jude Cancer Consortium and Beat Cancer Consortium. These partnerships connect families to innovative therapies and emerging research, offering hope when standard treatments may be limited.
- Innovation Fueled by San Diego’s Biotech Community
Located in one of the nation’s leading biotech hubs, Rady Children’s collaborates closely with industry partners to accelerate the development of new treatments. These partnerships help bring promising discoveries, like novel drug compounds and advanced delivery systems, more quickly from the lab to the bedside.
For children with rare or aggressive tumors, this means greater access to emerging therapies and more options for care.
About the Neuro-Oncology Program at Rady Children’s
The Neuro-Oncology Program at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego is the only program in the region providing comprehensive care to nearly 800 children and young adults with brain and spinal cord tumors. Through close collaboration with the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine, the multidisciplinary team personalizes therapy based on the molecular and functional characteristics of each tumor — helping improve outcomes for children facing these complex diseases.