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How are brain and spinal cord tumors treated?

The main treatments for children with brain and spinal cord tumors are:

Common treatment approaches

In many cases children will get some combination of these treatments. Treatment is based on the type of tumor and other factors. Doctors plan each child¡¯s treatment individually to give them the best chance of a cure while limiting side effects as much as possible.

Who treats brain and spinal cord tumors in children?

Going through cancer treatment with a child often means meeting lots of specialists and learning about parts of the medical system you probably haven¡¯t had contact with before.?

Children and teens with brain and spinal cord tumors and their families have special needs that can be met best by?cancer centers for children and teens, working closely with the child¡¯s primary care doctor. These centers offer the advantage of being treated by teams of specialists who know the differences between cancers in adults and those in children and teens, as well as the unique needs of younger people with cancer.

For childhood brain and spinal cord tumors, this team is often led by a?pediatric neurosurgeon, a doctor who uses surgery to treat brain and nervous system tumors in children. Other doctors on the team may include:

• Pediatric neurologist:?a doctor who treats brain and nervous system diseases in children
• Radiation oncologist:?a doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer
• Pediatric oncologist:?a doctor who uses chemotherapy and other medicines to treat children¡¯s cancers
• Endocrinologist:?a doctor who treats diseases in glands that secrete hormones

Many other health professionals may be involved in your child¡¯s care as well, including physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), nurses, psychologists, social workers, rehabilitation specialists, and other health professionals.?

Making treatment decisions

It¡¯s important to discuss your child¡¯s treatment options, including their goals and possible side effects, with the treatment team to help make the decision that¡¯s the best fit for your child. You may feel that you need to decide quickly, but it¡¯s important to give yourself time to absorb the information you have learned. It¡¯s also very important to ask questions if there is anything you¡¯re not sure about.?

If time allows,?getting a second opinion?from another doctor experienced with your child¡¯s type of tumor is often a good idea. This can give you more information and help you feel more confident about the treatment plan you choose. If you aren¡¯t sure where to go for a second opinion, ask your doctor for help.

Your child might also see a psychologist or rehabilitation specialist before treatment begins. For example, if the tumor is slow growing and your child¡¯s condition is stable, they may be seen by a psychologist before treatment to assess any damage the tumor might have caused. Most of the work of these specialists takes place after treatment.