Services
The Brain Tumor Board
Established 20 years ago in 1988, the brain tumor board meets weekly to review cases and develop a consensus treatment plan for children whose brain and spine tumors have been newly diagnosed, have recurred, or require a change in therapeutic plan. This includes outside consultations and second opinions.
- Each week, on average, seven cases are presented and discussed at the brain tumor board conference. Case history, diagnostic images (CT, MRIs), surgical findings and pathology are reviewed individually.
- Literature review and educational materials are distributed and discussed to support teaching and to assure justification for the team's recommendations.
- Approximately 30 representatives from various subspecialties attend each week.
- Representatives from Family Support Services (including child life and social word) also attend.
- The board's recommendations are notified to referring physicians who seek outside consultations and parents who seek second opinions.
The Second-Opinion Program
No matter where a patient currently is receiving brain tumor treatment, the Children's Memorial brain tumor specialists make their expertise available to anyone seeking a second opinion. Patients can be evaluated by the entire brain tumor team to receive an expert second opinion on the child's current diagnosis and treatment.
New-patient information
If you have scheduled appointments to see the brain tumor team, this information may assist you in planning your visit.
Lodging
- See options here for Local hotels. Children's Memorial Hospital security staff will provide transportation to and from three of the listed hotels (Belden-Stratford, Days Inn - Lincoln Park North, and Comfort Inn). If you are intersted in utilizing this service, please contact Security at 773.880.4222 at least 60 minutes prior to your appointment time.
Ronald McDonald House ®
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The Ronald McDonald House provides a temporary "home away from home" for families of children receiving treatment at Children's Memorial. The facility is located two blocks from the hospital. For more information, call the Ronald McDonald House at 773.348.5322. Please be aware that first-time visitors will require a referral from Children's Memorial. Please contact us for assistance in interested in this lodging option.
Outpatient visits
The brain tumor program
Established by Tadanori Tomita, MD, in 1986, the brain tumor program provides a one-stop visit in which children can be examined by Children's Memorial experts in pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric oncology, pediatric neurology, pediatric radiation oncology, child life, social work services, spiritual care, and support for families through the ParentWise program. Representatives from physical therapy, audiology, endocrinology, and other pediatric subspecialties may also be coordinated for the same visit.
Each patient's neuroradiographic studies are available for review on-site at this weekly clinic, so that family members can ask all the questions they need to in order to fully understand the child's illness and make educated decisions regarding his or her care.
- Patients visit the clinic from diagnosis through treatment and long-term follow-up, including some individuals who are 25 years past diagnosis.
- From January 2000 until now, the brain tumor program has see approximately 900 brain and spine tumor patients.
- Over 100 surgeries for brain and spine tumors were performed in 2007.
- Currently, we see over 135 new patients each year.