Common Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Conditions Treated
Common Pediatric Brain Tumors
- Medulloblastoma – The most common malignant brain tumor in children, usually found in the cerebellum.
- Gliomas – Includes different types such as:
- Pilocytic astrocytoma (often benign, slow-growing)
- Diffuse midline glioma (including DIPG) (aggressive and difficult to treat)
- Anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma (more aggressive forms)
- Ependymoma – Arises from cells lining the brain’s ventricles or spinal cord.
- Craniopharyngioma – A benign tumor near the pituitary gland that can affect hormones and vision.
- Germ cell tumors – Tumors that originate from germ cells, often near the pineal or pituitary gland.
- Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) – A rare and aggressive brain tumor found in very young children.
Common Pediatric Spinal Cord Tumors
- Ependymomas – Can also develop in the spinal cord.
- Astrocytomas – Can grow within the spinal cord, affecting movement and sensation.
Other Conditions
- Neurofibromatosis type 1 and 2 (NF1 & NF2) – Genetic disorders that can cause tumors in the nervous system.
- Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) – A genetic condition that can lead to brain tumors like subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs).
The management of brain and spinal cord tumors is determined by the type of tumor, where it is located, its size and the age of the patient. Treatment may consist of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. There are times where no intervention is required, and the tumor will simply be monitored with periodic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
The length of treatment depends on multiple factors, including the type of tumor and whether or not surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy are required. However, all children diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor will be followed by our team throughout the course of their therapy and survivorship until they reach adulthood and transition to an adult neuro-oncology program.