What Is the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program?
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Management Program provides comprehensive, specialized care for infants, children, and teens with all types of benign and malignant brain and skull base tumors.
Our team provides children with a full range of surgical treatment options for complex brain and skull base tumors, including traditional and minimally invasive neurosurgery. We work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of experts — including neuro-oncology and neuroradiology specialists — to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to each child’s unique needs.
What conditions do you treat?
We treat all types of benign and cancerous pediatric brain and skull base tumors, including:
- Astrocytoma.
- Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor.
- Choroid plexus papilloma or carcinoma.
- Craniopharyngioma.
- Ependymoma.
- Ganglioglioma.
- Glioblastoma.
- Medulloblastoma.
- Meningeal tumors.
- Pineal region tumors.
- Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma.
- Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET).
- Subependymal giant cell tumor.
Who’s eligible for pediatric brain tumor management services?
Your child may be eligible for pediatric brain tumor management care if he or she has been diagnosed with any type of benign or malignant brain or skull base tumor.
What Pediatric Brain Tumor Management Services Do You Offer?
We offer a full range of diagnostic and treatment services for pediatric brain tumors, including:
Diagnostic services
Diagnostic testing services for pediatric brain tumors include:
- Cortical motor stimulation (CMS) — A test that is used during epilepsy or brain tumor surgery to identify areas of your child’s brain that control movement, speech, and the senses.
- CT scan — Creates images of your child’s brain and other structures to check for damaged or abnormal areas.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — Creates images of your child’s brain or spine to look for damaged or abnormal areas.
- Magnetoencephalogram (MEG) — Uses magnetic fields produced by electrical signals in your child’s brain to map brain function and diagnose conditions such as epilepsy and tumors.
- Complex, comprehensive neurological examination — A noninvasive test to check your child’s reflexes, balance, movement, memory, and ability to think.
- Neurosonogram — A type of ultrasound to check for brain abnormalities in unborn babies and infants.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan — Uses a radioactive tracer to create images that are used to diagnose problems with blood flow and other brain abnormalities.
- Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) — Uses a radioactive tracer to create images of organs, tissues, blood flow, and brain activity.
- Ultrasound (sonogram) — Uses sound waves to create real-time images of your child’s organs, bones, tissues, and blood flow.
Brain tumor treatment services
Endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA)
EEA is an innovative surgical technique used to remove skull base tumors and lesions — some as large as softballs — through your child’s nose, with no visible incisions required.
During the procedure, a pediatric neurosurgeon will use a tube with a light and a camera called an endoscope and other specialized surgical instruments to remove your child’s tumor through their nose and sinuses.
Neuroendoscopic surgery
Neuroendoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure to remove tumors that are deep within your child’s brain using a surgical instrument with a light and a camera called an endoscope.
During the procedure, a pediatric neurosurgeon will remove a small piece of your child’s skull and create a dime-sized surgical channel through the brain using a device called a tubular retractor. The tubular retractor gently separates brain tissue and creates a pathway for your child’s neurosurgeon to access and remove the tumor.
Stereotactic imaging guidance
Your child’s pediatric neurosurgeon will use CT or MRI imaging (stereotactic) guidance and intraoperative GPS technology to map the safest path to access the tumor. This image guidance reduces the risk of damage to areas of the brain that control speech, movement, and other critical functions.
Advanced intraoperative imaging
Our neurosurgeons have access to advanced intraoperative imaging technology, including intraoperative MRI, which allows them to take detailed images of your child’s brain while they're still inside the operating room.
In addition to improving surgical safety and reducing the risk of complications, intraoperative MRI allows your neurosurgeon to confirm that as much tumor tissue as possible has been removed — potentially reducing the need for a second surgery at a later date.
What Can I Expect From the Pediatric Brain Tumor Management Program?
When your child comes to Pediatric Brain Tumor Management Program at UPMC Children’s, they will receive personalized, multidisciplinary care from some of the nation’s leading experts in neurosurgical brain tumor treatment.
During your first visit, your child will meet with members of our team for a comprehensive evaluation that may include:
- A review of your child’s health history and medical records.
- Brain imaging, including MRI and magnetoencephalogram (MEG) scans.
- Developmental, psychological, and social assessments.
- Physical, neurological, and neuropsychological exams.
Using this information, our multidisciplinary team will meet to discuss your child’s brain tumor treatment options. With input from your family, our team will recommend a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s condition and needs.
Do I Need a Referral to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Management Program?
We require a physician referral from your primary care physician or other UPMC Children’s specialist. Check with your health insurance company to see if an insurance referral is also required.
All necessary referral and authorization forms must be received before your child’s visit. For accurate provider numbers or more information, please call Pediatric Neurosurgery at 412-692-5090.
Your Pediatric Brain Tumor Management Program experts
When you choose the Pediatric Brain Tumor Management Program for your child’s care, their team will include fellowship-trained pediatric neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, neuroradiologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, neuropsychologists, neuropathologists, social workers, and rehabilitation specialists.
With a full range of available treatment options and our extensive experience and expertise, our team will develop and recommend a treatment plan that gives your child the best chance of a successful outcome.
