Neuro-oncology

When your child is diagnosed with a brain or spine tumor, you want the best care. Specialists at Dell Children’s Blood and Cancer Center at Ascension Seton have the expertise to diagnose and treat even the most complex brain and spinal tumors in children. At the only neuro-oncology clinic in Central Texas, your child and family will receive highly specialized, advanced care. Only in Austin. Only at Dell Children’s.

Your child’s doctor starts by listening and takes the time to answer your questions and explain your child’s diagnosis and treatment options. Ask your questions – big and small. Together, we work with you to create a care plan that’s right for your child. We will help you navigate your child’s care and will be by your side every step of the way, connecting the dots.  

The brain and spine tumor program at Dell Children’s Blood and Cancer Center is the only pediatric neuro-oncology clinic in Central Texas. When your child is referred to our clinic, you will meet with our team for a first consultation. Your child’s doctor starts by listening and will do some testing and evaluation. Your care team will then explain your child’s diagnosis and work with you on a personalized care plan. Pediatric neurosurgeons and medical oncologists specialize in delivering the advanced treatments your child needs. For some conditions, surgery and other therapies might be recommended and for some, clinical trials might be recommended.

Specialized cancer care for children

Pediatric specialists diagnose and treat childhood cancer affecting the brain, spine and nervous system, including:

• Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (a rare, fast-growing tumor in the brain or spinal cord)
• Craniopharyngioma (brain tumor near the pituitary gland and hypothalamus)
• Ganglioglioma  (a rare brain tumor)
• Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (a tumor that forms in the brain stem)
• Diffuse midline glioma (a tumor that forms in the brain or spinal cord)
• Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (a slow-growing brain tumor)
• Ependymoma (a tumor that forms in the brain or spinal cord)
• Germinoma (a tumor that begins in cells that form sperm or eggs)
• Gliomas (a tumor that forms in the brain or spinal cord)
• Medulloblastoma (a tumor that forms in the cerebellum)
• Meningioma (a tumor in the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord)
• Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (a non-cancerous brian tumor)
• Schwannoma (a nerve tumor)

A multispecialty team dedicated to your child’s care

When you choose Dell Children's, your child will have a multispecialty team dedicated to their care. Your child’s care team includes specialists in oncology, neurology and more. Your child’s care team also includes a nurse navigator, who helps connect the dots for your child’s care. This includes connecting your child and family with other specialists. And, your nurse navigator helps you schedule appointments and coordinates your child’s care with other specialists.

Specialized care for non-cancerous brain tumors

When a child is diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, a slow-growing tumor that is not cancerous, they may need care from more than one specialist. At Dell Children’s Blood and Cancer Center at Ascension Seton, we bring together a multispecialty team of oncologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-ophthalmologists and endocrine specialists at our craniopharyngioma clinic. This team of specialists works together closely, providing the coordinated care your child needs.