Brain Tumor Program
Lurie Children’s Brain Tumor Center offers highly specialized, state-of the-art care for children with brain tumors, the most common solid tumor diagnosed in children. The center is designed specifically to treat children with brain and central nervous system tumors.
Lurie Children's is ranked 7th in the nation in Neurology & Neurosurgery by U.S.News & World Report.
Nationally-Ranked Care
Lurie Children's is ranked 7th in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S.News & World Report.
Experience
Our Brain Tumor Board, a team of pediatric healthcare experts, meets weekly to review cases and develop treatment plans for children whose brain and spine tumors have been newly diagnosed, have recurred or require a change in therapeutic plan. Case history, diagnostic images, surgical findings and pathology are each reviewed individually.
The center offers services from the following specialists:
- Pediatric neurosurgeons
- Pediatric neuro-oncologists
- Pediatric radiation oncologists
- Pediatric neuro-radiologists
- Pediatric neuro-psychologists
- Pediatric neuro-pathologists
- Child life specialists
- Social workers
- Chaplains
In 1986, the center was established by Tadanori Tomita, MD.
Approach
Families can meet weekly with multiple specialists in a single location. This collaborative team approach gives families the chance to ask questions and fully understand their child's illness to make educated care decisions. Learn about the measures we take to diagnose our patients' tumors.
We offer our patients new treatments such as proton therapy, as well as access to treatments through numerous ongoing clinical studies.
Our Brain Tumor Board completes comprehensive reviews of children's cases each week. Learn how to refer a patient.
Pediatric Brain Tumor Specialists
The following Brain Tumor team members specialize in treating children with brain tumors. Please note, not all of our specialists are available at every location. Select their names to learn more about their special interest areas and locations.
Sandi K. Lam, MD, MBA
Division Head, Neurosurgery; Yeager Professorship in Pediatric Neurosurgery
Angela Waanders, MD, MPH, MS
Section Head, Neuro-Oncology; Director, Precision Medicine Oncology; Executive Board Chair, Children's Brain Tumor Tissue Consortium; Gus Foundation Chair in Neuro-Oncology
Tord D. Alden, MD
Attending Physician, Neurosurgery
Rudy J. Allen, MD
Attending Physician, Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation
Miriam A. Bornhorst, MD
Attending Physician, Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation; Max Lacewell Endowed Brain Tumor Research Scholar
Michael G. DeCuypere, MD, PhD
Attending Physician, Neurosurgery; Director of Research; Eleanor Clarke Research Scholar in Developmental Neurobiology Research
Arthur J. DiPatri, Jr., MD
Attending Physician, Neurosurgery; Director of Craniofacial Surgery; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Alicia C. Lenzen, MD
Attending Physician, Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation; Program Director, Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Fellowship; Rory David Deutsch Malignant Brain Tumor Research Scholar
Ashley S. Plant-Fox, MD
Attending Physician, Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation; A.M. Khokhar Research Scholar
Morgan E. Goldsmith, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC, CPN, CNL
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation
Elizabeth Horan, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, CPHON
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Hematology, Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation
Kaitlan J. Meyers, APRN-NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation
Reema L. Habiby, MD
Division Head, Endocrinology; Mae and Benjamin Allen Founders’ Board Professor
Robert H. Listernick, MD
Attending Physician, Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care; Director, Diagnostic and Consultation Services; Co-Director, Neurofibromatosis Clinic
Maggie D. Seblani, DO, MPH
Attending Physician, Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation
Make an Appointment
We offer several scheduling options for your child's care needs.
Pediatric Brain Tumor Research
Our multidisciplinary team of physician-scientists develops and participates in innovative research to offer new treatments, improve the standard of care and increase knowledge about the biology of brain and spinal cord tumors. Research is a central component to our center’s mission. Our efforts are focused on clinical trials, basic and translational research, and quality of life and patient outcomes research.
Our Location
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000
Brain Tumor Program News & Stories
Pat Mac’s Pack: “We Support Cancer Research so Other Families Don’t Have to Face What We Did”
How the McNamara family’s 11-year battle with pediatric brain tumors inspired them to develop their own 501(c)(3) to help fund treatment for children. “Pediatric brain tumor research is seriously underfunded. We are passionate about supporting this research so other families don’t have to face what we did.”
Signs of a Brain Tumor in Children
Learning about pediatric brain tumors can be overwhelming and scary. Our experts explain symptoms, types, treatment options, and resources for supporting your child's health.
How Beckett Got His Shine Back After the Cloud of a Brain Tumor Diagnosis
What began as suspected GI troubles became a journey that changed everything. Beckett was 6 years old when he found out he had a brain tumor, and now, one year later, the McBride family is finally feeling a refreshed sense of hope.
Recovered from a Brain Tumor, Peyton is Poised to Shine
Follow Peyton's inspiring journey from aspiring broadcast journalist to cancer survivor as she navigates through surgeries and treatments with resilience and determination.
Luna’s Story: Beating Brain Cancer with a Little Bit of Paint and Positivity
After experiencing troubling and abnormal symptoms, Luna was rushed to her local hospital where a large mass was discovered on the left side of her brain.
Lurie Children’s leads DIPG clinical trial
Philanthropy
Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children’s relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500.