Why choose Cook Children’s Neuro-Oncology Program
At Cook Children's, we care for kids with brain and spinal cord (central nervous system or CNS) tumors using the latest treatments and a lot of heart. Our team is here to listen, support and guide your family. The advanced care we offer for CNS tumors isn't widely available in our region, but you can find it here. Most importantly, you'll find a team dedicated to giving your child the best care possible, with compassion at every turn.
Choosing Cook Children’s for CNS tumors
When your child needs care for a CNS tumor, you shouldn't have to go to multiple places to get it. That's why we bring everything together, including specialists, tests and treatments, all in one place. We've helped many kids facing tough-to-treat tumors, and we'll be here for your family, too. Here's what you can expect:
Our highly respected doctors are specially trained in treating CNS tumors (neuro-oncologists). We're here to care for your child whether they're staying in our medical center or coming in for a clinic visit. You'll see the same familiar faces along the way. This approach makes it easier to adjust treatments, manage symptoms and provide the ongoing care your child needs.
Our neuro-oncologists work alongside specialists in brain imaging, neurosurgery and more. We meet regularly to discuss your child's care and plan therapies. Working together makes treatment seamless and easier for your child and family. When you have a whole team looking out for your child, every decision is made with one goal in mind - helping them heal and grow.
Our neuro-oncology team doesn't just follow the latest research. They help lead it. Your child has access to the most promising therapies and new options available through clinical trials. These options give your child more chances for healing, even if treatment doesn't go as expected. It's one of the many ways we strive to bring hope to families when they need it most.
We understand that when you have a plan in place, it's a little easier to take a breath. That's why we see new patients as soon as possible. Your first appointment may be within just a few days. If you're coming to us from outside the Fort Worth area, your child may be able to see multiple specialists in a single visit.
Advancing CNS tumor care
A neuro cancer diagnosis can be the start of a scary journey. Cook Children's team of neuro-oncology specialists are working toward finding better ways to treat complex central nervous system tumors in children, to help ease your concerns. We provide focused programs and therapies for many of the complex conditions we treat, so your child gets care that's best for their diagnosis.
Services we offer
Cook Children's is at the forefront of neuro-oncology research, working with other top hospitals to find new ways to treat CNS tumors. One area of interest is focused ultrasound for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). This fast-growing brain tumor is hard to treat. Focused ultrasound involves concentrating sound waves or ultrasonic energy to a targeted area in the body. Learn more about our focused ultrasound program led by Dr. Sibo Zhao.
We're also participating in a multicenter study of newly diagnosed medulloblastoma. Find out more about active neuro-oncology research.
Our participation in prestigious research groups gives your child access to innovative treatments. These include:
- Children's Oncology Group
- Texas-Oklahoma Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium
Specialized clinics bring together experts dedicated to understanding and treating some of the most complex CNS tumors. Our highly skilled and experienced specialists see and treat these conditions regularly. This experience means your child receives leading-edge treatments that give your child the best chances for good outcomes. Tumor clinics we offer include:
- Neurofibromatosis: This condition causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. Our Neurofibromatosis Clinic provides specialized care from a team of experts. We provide the latest treatments and comprehensive guidance, such as access to clinical trials and family support groups.
- Retinoblastoma: This rare cancer affects the part of the eye that communicates with the brain (retina). Our team includes eye doctors and surgeons specializing in this condition. They screen, monitor and treat your child, offering the best chances to preserve your child's vision. Learn more about retinoblastoma.
Examining a tumor's genetic makeup helps us determine whether your child is eligible for targeted therapies. These therapies attack specific parts of cancer cells to stop them from multiplying while sparing healthy cells. Explore our Precision Medicine Program.
Neurosurgeons use intraoperative MRI, which provides detailed images during surgery, to help us remove tumors with a high degree of accuracy.
This radiation treatment targets CNS tumor cells more precisely, helping to protect the healthy parts of your child's brain and reduce side effects.
We help your child regain skills through therapies that improve movement, daily activities and communication. Learn more about neurorehabilitation.
Moments of magic
Hope and healing happen every day at Cook Children's. Discover some of our highlights.
