About Neuro-Oncology
Neuro-oncology, or tumors of the nervous system, refers to the study and treatment of tumors in the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Current treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Our Unique Approach
We share the goals of our patient’s families to treat and cure their child’s nervous system tumor and to return both the child and the family to their life before the tumor—full of growth and promise. The leaders of neuro-oncology at CHAM have a combined experience of over 50 years treating children with neurological tumors. Our team members have trained at the leading neuro-oncology centers of North America and participate in nationwide cooperative treatment trials. We have the latest surgical tools—such as computer-guided microscopes and lasers, radiation techniques (including proton beam therapy), and chemotherapy capabilities (such as a hospital ward for bone marrow transplant)—which allows us to implement aggressive treatments tailored to the specific needs of our patients.
Individualized Treatment Plans
Each child’s treatment plan is first considered by our entire team at a group meeting that follows a pathological examination of the child’s tumor. Our friendships and relationships with other investigators and clinicians throughout North America frequently result in our reaching out to them for consideration of the type of tumor or the emerging investigatory treatments of rare tumors. We also discuss any difficulties the family may be experiencing and seek to manage those obstacles to prevent them from interfering with their child’s treatment. After the treatment is completed, we have specialty programs for returning to a normal childhood and long-term surveillance for tumor recurrence or residual problems associated with the treatment. We remain committed to helping children develop to their fullest potential.
Proton Beam Radiation Center
Our group, participating with two other institutions in New York, just opened the only proton beam radiation center in our community. It allows us to deliver very precise, specialized radiation to nervous system tumors in children. We are one of the few centers capable of supporting children needing bone marrow transplants after chemotherapy treatments, and we have devised treatment packs worn by some of our children which allow them to receive their chemotherapy at home. We use highly sophisticated tools in the operating room that allow us to monitor the function of the nervous system for signs of potential injury and the location of critical structures during the tumor’s resection. These tools allow us to use very aggressive treatments to meet and conquer a child’s tumor.