Brain Tumor Program

About us

The outlook for children with brain tumors has brightened significantly in the past two decades. Thanks to refined surgical techniques and improved chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the majority of children with brain and spinal cord tumors are now long-term survivors.

Here at Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center (DF/CHCC), your child will receive care from many of the world's most experienced and internationally renowned specialists in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors. And our team works to develop care plans that maximize outcomes and offer your child the highest possible quality of life after treatment.

Children treated for brain tumors at DF/CHCC have access to some of the most advanced diagnostics and therapies, including:

• quick and accurate diagnosis from our dedicated pediatric neuropathologist
• access to advanced technologies like the intraoperative MRI, which allows our neurosurgeons to simultaneously perform surgery and obtain detailed images to ensure maximum tumor removal without the need for multiple surgeries
• advanced pediatric radiation oncology services, including targeted radiosurgery and low-dose radiation therapy, that minimize a child’s exposure to radiation
• access to New England’s only dedicated pediatric Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan as well as to PET fusion imaging, which provides precise anatomical and functional images to help guide our treatment decisions
• chemotherapy delivery techniques that minimize hospital admissions, including outpatient and oral chemotherapy and direct delivery into the tumor site

The most effective pediatric brain tumor care teams are familiar with the complexities of pediatric brain tumors and the treatment challenges they present. At DF/CHCC, your child’s core team will include the following specialists:

• pediatric neurologist
• pediatric neuro-oncologist
• pediatric neurosurgeon
• pediatric radiation oncologist

In addition, your child’s cancer care team will draw on the expertise and knowledge of a variety of subspecialists and support staff including:

• radiologists
• physical and occupational therapists
• endocrinologists
• psychologists and psychiatrists
• audiologist
• ophthalmologists
• Child Life specialists
• social workers
• nutritionists
• complementary medicine specialists
• school specialists

Here at DF/CHCC, we consider you and your child integral parts of the care team and not simply recipients of care. You and your team will work together to customize a plan of care for your child.