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The Neuro-Oncology Program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine offers comprehensive, compassionate diagnosis and treatment of pediatric tumors of the brain and spinal cord. It is the region’s largest and only neuro-oncology program with a dedicated multi-
disciplinary team that works directly with families and referring physicians to optimize treatment plans.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital has access to the latest therapeutic options and has the most advanced technology available to treat childhood cancers. Surgery, radiation therapy,
chemotherapy or various combinations are typical options. Others include:
- New Therapeutic Agents: Patients will benefit from the newest drugs and therapies available for children with cancer. Patients will have an opportunity to participate in one of several clinical trials providing the latest therapies available.
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): For patients with larger tumors, IMRT allows our radiation therapist to tailor his or her treatment to the tumor while minimizing the damage of adjacent structures. This will ensure that the side effects of radiation to the brain that can lead to significant disabilities will be minimized.
- Gamma Knife: For children with small inoperable brain tumors, St. Louis Children’s Hospital offers state-of-the-art stereotactic radiosurgery in its Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Center. This minimally invasive treatment option allows children to receive ultra-precise amounts of radiation in specifically targeted areas of the brain.
- Bone Marrow Transplantation: The first such program in the state of Missouri, the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Program offers the most advanced therapies for autologous and allogeneic stem cell rescue. New strategies have been developed specifically for pediatric neuro-oncology patients to optimize control of the patient’s disease.
The Brain Tumor Program also welcomes requests for a second opinion. A second opinion is an important resource for every patient. It can help answer your questions and confirm diagnosis and treatment options. To request a second opinion, please call 800.678.4357.
The Neuro-Oncology team welcomes inquiries from physicians, patients and families. If you have questions about the Neuro-Oncology Program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital or would like to make a referral, please call us direct at 800.678.4357.