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Brain Tumor Institute (Neuro-Oncology Program) Associated Departments Conditions & Treatments Meet Our Team Contact Information     Email This Page Print This Page           Brain Tumor Institute (Neuro-Oncology Program) The Brain Tumor Institute at Children’s National Medical Center is a multidisciplinary, internationally-respected collaboration, which evaluates one out of every ten children in the United States with a brain tumor. The Institute is one of only a few programs boldly trying to eliminate radiation, especially in infants. By finding alternative treatments with fewer long-term effects, the team aspires to increase patients’ quality of life. Children’s unique collaboration between the divisions of Oncology and Neurology means that patients see an Oncologist and a Neurologist at every visit. In addition, the program includes neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, radiologists, psychologists, endocrinologists, and pathologists. The Institute boasts one of the most active clinical research programs in the country. As the only center in the region and one of only a handful in the country with access to the Children’s Oncology Group’s Phase I trials, Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium Protocols and Neurofibramatosis Clinical Trials Consortium Protocols, Children’s patients have access to the newest therapies. Children’s National has had a neuro-oncology program in continuous operation for nearly 20 years. This team treats approximately 500 patients annually, including 150 new patients. In addition, the team provides second opinions for more than 100 patients nationally and internationally each year. The Brain Tumor Institute is led by Roger J. Packer, MD, division chief of Neurology and executive director of the hospital’s Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine. Tobey MacDonald, MD, a nationally-known brain tumor researcher and oncologist, leads the Institute's basic research efforts. Dr. Packer contributes expertise in clinical trials, especially in studying how the brain develops after treatment. He has led and continues to lead many national and international investigations in childhood brain tumors including those in medulloblastoma, childhood low grade gliomas and rare forms of childhood brain tumors. Dr. MacDonald’s focus is discovering innovative treatments and researching the biology of tumors. He is exploring strategies to delay or eliminate radiation therapy in very young patients by using high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue and frequent, low dose therapy (metronomic). Recently, Dr. MacDonald joined colleague Brian Rood, MD, in establishing the first national pediatric proteomics lab to study brain tumors. Together, they are spearheading the national effort to develop a new way to look at the biology of brain tumors that is not dependent upon invasive surgery. Children’s experienced neurosurgical staff plays an important role in treating patients with brain tumors. The neurosurgery team, including Robert F. Keating, MD and John Myseros, MD, uses advanced techniques, such as image-guided surgery and intra-operative MRI. Children’s Division of Neurosurgery has one the lowest rates (less than 5 percent) of posterior fossa mutism syndrome (temporary loss of speech) in the United States, an essentially negligible mortality rate and one of the lowest shunt infection incidences in the country. When a child has cancer, it affects everyone in the family — and Children’s team cares for them all. The Patient and Family Support Program provides mental and psychosocial services and other helpful resources to help families cope as best as possible. The Neuro-Oncology Program treats patients with: Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors Craniopharyngioma Ependamoma Germ cell tumors, including mixed germ cell tumors Gliomas, including brain stem, chiasmatic, low grade and optic nerve Infantile brain tumor Medulloblastoma Pineoblastomas Primitive neuroectodermal tumors/supratentorial The program holds a weekly, multidisciplinary neuro-oncology clinic at the hospital’s main campus and also runs a monthly clinic at Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders of Northern Virginia, in Fairfax. It is closely integrated with other programs including the Pediatric Oncology Branch and the Radiation Oncology Branch at the National Institutes of Health, Inova Fairfax Hospital, and the University of Virginia, (Charlottesville). Back to Top