Many specialties are involved in treatment
Children with brain tumors typically require the
consultation of a variety of subspecialists who are especially trained in
treating youngsters. Few pediatric hospitals can match the depth and breadth of highly qualified subspecialists immediately on
hand at Children's Memorial.
Pediatric neurosurgery
For example, only six pediatric
neurosurgeons in Illinois are certified by the American Board of Pediatric
Neurological Surgery; three of the six are on staff at
Children's Memorial. This fact makes the Brain Tumor Center at Children's
Memorial the treatment center of choice for many parents.
Pediatric radiation oncology
Youngsters with brain tumors who need radiation therapy use the
state-of-the-art facilities provided by the Division of Radiation Oncology at
Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.
The Radiation Oncology Center is in the newly built ambulatory care center at
Northwestern Memorial Hospital; Children's Brain Tumor center has access to the
most advanced radiotherapy technology such as Gamma knife and linear accelerator
system; pediatric radiation oncology is directed by Maryanne Marymont, MD.
Pediatric neuroradiology
The proper diagnosis is the first step toward the best possible treatment of
children with brain tumors, and the neuroradiologists at Children's, who have
many years of experience in pediatrics, offer virtually every known
state-of-the-art diagnostic test available, many of which are fully staffed 24
hours per day, 7 days a week.
MRI at Children's is capable to produce MR angiography, MR spectroscopy, MR
flow study and most recently functional MRI. These advanced diagnostic imaging
technoiques which are not readily available in other medical centers help
precise localization and nature of brain tumor and lead us to the most
appropriate treatment plan. Headed by John Curran, MD, the Division of
Neuroradiology includes three full-time pediatric neuroradiologists.
Pediatric neuropsychology
Children's experts in neuropsychology, under the
direction of Frank Zelko, PhD
, evaluate relevant academic, behavioral, and emotional situations that may
be related to a child's brain tumor and treatment. Intervention suggestions and
consultation are provided, with an emphasis upon appropriate school programming.
Neuropsychological evaluations also can help identify possible "delayed" effects
of a child's brain tumor and treatment.
The neuropsychologists use state-of-the-art assessment methods, including
recently developed measures of attention, memory, executive functioning and
information processing speed. The service works closely with programs offered by
the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry to assist children with
behavioral and emotional concerns.
Pediatric neuropathology
Much of
what is known about brain tumors depends on the skills
of professionals not often recognized by the public — those of pediatric pathologists,
the highly trained specialists in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
who perform studies of all kinds on the tumor
specimens sent to them for analysis.
The department's histology lab is equipped to handle
immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies, as well as molecular
diagnostic work-ups on a routine basis. Since 1990, more than 3,000 tumor specimens have been
catalogued in a computer data base and stored at minus 70
degrees C.
Many other pediatric health care professionals are often involved in the care
of children with brain tumors, such as those in anesthesia, endocrinology,
ophthalmology, nursing, social work, and rehabilitative services.