The Brain Tumor Program is one of the largest pediatric programs for children with brain tumors in the western United States. Physicians, nurses, social workers, child life specialists, parent liaisons and chaplains help each family through the initial surgery and subsequent radiation and/or chemotherapy regimens.
The program specializes in the treatment of complex tumors involving the midline, posterior fossa, cerebello-pontine angle, and skull base.
Complex radiation therapies are provided by Kevin Murphy, M.D., chief of the Pediatric Radiation Oncology Service and an active member of the Children’s Oncology Group. Dr. Murphy has used and fostered the development of a number of emerging techniques in the treatment of brain tumors in children, including stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic radiotherapy, intensity-modulated stereotactic radiosurgery/therapy, hypo-fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, and GliaSite®/Iotrex brachytherapy.
Along with starting a cerebral tissue bank at Rady Children’s, the Division has developed close relationships with laboratories at The Scripps Research Institute, UC San Diego and the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute.
Team
Michael Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Division Chief, Neurology
John Crawford, M.D., M.S., Director, Neuro-Oncology Program
Kevin Murphy, M.D., Chief, Pediatric Radiation Oncology Service