Pediatric Brain Tumors

Overview

Mayo Clinic is one of the world's leading brain tumor treatment and research centers. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked No. 1 in Neurology and Neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic cares for more than 4,000 patients each year who have brain and other nervous system tumors, including more than 130 children and adolescents who have brain tumors.

Experienced and highly trained pediatric specialists from neurology, neurosurgery, radiology, neuropathology, radiation therapy, medical oncology, psychology, and brain rehabilitation work together to deliver the best treatment options for each patient. What might take months to accomplish in other settings can be done in days in Mayo Clinic's efficient system.

Mayo Clinic is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, giving patients access to new developments and treatments for brain tumors. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is one of only four cancer centers to receive a National Cancer Institute-sponsored Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant for brain cancer research.

The primary site for treatment of children and adolescents with brain tumors is the T. Denny Sanford Center for Pediatrics at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The Sanford Center allows children and their families to meet with pediatric specialists in child-friendly surroundings that feature nature-themed works of art, age-appropriate activities, an education area, and private spaces for families to relax between appointments.

A pediatric neurologist specializing in brain tumors (neuro-oncologist) usually will be the patient's primary physician. But patients will have access to all specialists from the brain tumor treatment team, who meet regularly to discuss challenging cases and share knowledge.

Children age 16 and older are treated at Mayo Clinic in Florida, and children age 12 and older are treated at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

Diagnosis

If brain tumor symptoms are present, doctors will perform a thorough neurological exam and order imaging tests to locate the problem. Test results generally are available within 24 hours in Mayo's state-of-the-art electronic medical record. Experienced neuropathologists examine tissue to determine the kind of tumor present. Learn more about brain tumor diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Treatment and chance of recovery (prognosis) depend on the tumor type, its location within the brain, if it has spread, and the child's age and general health. There are treatments for all children who have brain tumors. At Mayo Clinic, cutting-edge treatment facilities and a team of medical experts who specialize in treating children who have brain tumors give patients the best chance for success. Learn more about pediatric brain tumor treatment options.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota

About Pediatric Brain Tumors

Regions of the brain

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Each year in the United States, about 2,000 children under 16 are diagnosed with a brain tumor. Brain tumors are the most common type of solid tumor and second most common type of cancer (after leukemia) in children.

Most brain tumors in children arise as primary tumors which start in the brain and are not the result of malignant cells spreading to the brain from another location in the body. A primary tumor in the brain rarely spreads beyond the brain and spinal cord. Any brain tumor can be life threatening if it becomes too big and presses against tissues that control vital body functions such as breathing or blood circulation. See information on types of childhood brain tumors.

Treating brain tumors can be challenging. Brain tumors are the second-leading cause of cancer death in children under age 15. But the outlook isn't necessarily bleak. Many types of brain tumors can be successfully treated with one or more treatment methods. In addition, new technology enables physicians to target tumors more precisely. And innovative treatments under investigation mean more hope for the future.

Read more at
www.MayoClinic.com
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