Brain Tumors and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children

A Team Approach to Your Child’s Brain Tumor, Spinal Cord Tumor Treatment
Providing the best care for your child requires a large team of specialists. Our pediatric neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, and neuro-oncologists (doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating cancers that affect the brain and spine) work closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan. Your child’s care team also includes oncology nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, cancer geneticists, nutritionists, physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists, and others.

Comfort During Treatment
We strive to make your child as comfortable as possible during treatment, and we work hard to minimize side effects and improve their overall quality of life. Our team includes experts in pain management, supportive nutrition, relaxation techniques, and therapies for coping with treatment and hospitalization.

Advanced Care Nurse and Neuro-Oncologist Available 24/7
An advanced care nurse is your main point of contact throughout your child’s treatment and recovery. Your child’s advanced care nurse and neuro-oncologists are available to you 24/7.

Flexible Schedule
Our infusion center and clinic operate 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. This reduces hospital admissions and allows us to accommodate your family’s schedule as much as possible.

Care Continues After Treatment
This is a critical component of an excellent brain tumor program, as children with brain and spinal tumors may face unique challenges after they complete treatment. 

• Your child’s follow-up care includes regular screenings, ongoing monitoring, and referrals to other specialists as needed. 
• We help your child transition back to school.
• We help your child and family manage the immediate and long-term physical and emotional side effects of treatment. 

Dedicated Social Worker
Our social worker supports children and their families during treatment and afterward. They work with our team to address the particular needs of each child, even after treatment is complete.

Child Life Team
Doctor visits and hospitals can be overwhelming and sometimes scary for children. Our child life team helps make it easier by explaining procedures in ways your child can understand, offering encouragement and emotional support, and using fun activities to take your child’s mind off treatment.

Adolescent and Young Adult Program
We know that teens and young adults don’t want to be treated like kids, but adult care might not be quite right either. Our Adolescent and Young Adult Program brings together experts in pediatric and adult cancer to customize medical care and emotional support that is unique to adolescents, helping them cope with cancer treatment and the ways it affects their academic and social lives. In addition, we provide specialized services to support adolescents as they transition to adult care, pursue jobs, and live independently.

Help Navigating the Medical System
Our care coordinators and social worker help you navigate the medical system and coordinate the variety of health services your child needs, including appointments for testing, treatment, and other medical visits. They can help you communicate with insurance providers, find resources, and manage the details of your child’s care.

Nationally Recognized Expertise
Duke is a nationally recognized leader in treatments like immunotherapy and targeted therapies and has been at the forefront of important treatment breakthroughs. Our pediatric program is part of the internationally recognized Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center.

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Institute
In addition to funding research to discover causes and cures for childhood brain tumors, the Institute provides financial, educational, and emotional support to children and families affected by brain tumors.