Many specialties are involved in treatment
Children with brain tumors typically require the consultation of a variety of subspecialists who are especially trained in treating children. Few pediatric hospitals can match the depth and breadth of highly qualified subspecialists immediately on hand at Children's Memorial.
Pediatric neurosurgery
For example, only six pediatric neurosurgeons in Illinois are certified by the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery; three of the six are on staff at Children's Memorial. This fact makes the Brain Tumor Center at Children's Memorial the treatment center of choice for many parents.
Pediatric radiation oncology
Children with brain tumors who need radiation therapy use the state-of-the-art facilities provided by the Division of Radiation Oncology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.
The Radiation Oncology Center is in the newly built ambulatory care center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital; Children's Brain Tumor center has access to the most advanced radiotherapy technology such as Gamma knife and linear accelerator system; pediatric radiation oncology is directed by Maryanne Marymont, MD.
Pediatric neuroradiology
The proper diagnosis is the first step toward the best possible treatment of children with brain tumors, and the neuroradiologists at Children's Memorial, who have many years of experience in pediatrics, offer virtually every known state-of-the-art diagnostic test available, many of which are fully staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
MRI at Children's Memorial is capable to produce MR angiography, MR spectroscopy, MR flow study and most recently functional MRI. These advanced diagnostic imaging technoiques which are not readily available in other medical centers help precise localization and nature of brain tumor and lead us to the most appropriate treatment plan.
Pediatric neuropsychology
Children's experts in neuropsychology, under the direction of Frank Zelko, PhD , evaluate relevant academic, behavioral, and emotional situations that may be related to a child's brain tumor and treatment. Intervention suggestions and consultation are provided, with an emphasis upon appropriate school programming. Neuropsychological evaluations also can help identify possible "delayed" effects of a child's brain tumor and treatment.
The neuropsychologists use state-of-the-art assessment methods, including recently developed measures of attention, memory, executive functioning and information processing speed. The service works closely with programs offered by the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry to assist children with behavioral and emotional concerns.
Pediatric neuropathology
Much of what is known about brain tumors depends on the skills of professionals not often recognized by the public — those of pediatric pathologists, the highly trained specialists in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine who perform studies of all kinds on the tumor specimens sent to them for analysis.
The department's histology lab is equipped to handle immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies, as well as molecular diagnostic work-ups on a routine basis. Since 1990, more than 3,000 tumor specimens have been catalogued in a computer data base and stored at minus 70 degrees C.
Many other pediatric health care professionals are often involved in the care of children with brain tumors, such as those in anesthesia, endocrinology, ophthalmology, nursing, social work, and rehabilitative services.