Expert Brain Tumor Care for Children
Children with brain tumors need highly specialized, coordinated care. CHKD’s Neuro-Oncology Program brings together a multidisciplinary team to address the medical, emotional, and long-term needs of each patient—all in one location.
Our team includes pediatric oncologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, endocrinologists, nurse navigators, dietitians, social workers, and education consultants who work collaboratively to manage symptoms, deliver advanced treatment, and support families at every stage of care.
This whole-person approach ensures personalized treatment plans that promote the best possible outcomes and support patients’ well-being during treatment and beyond.
Why Choose CHKD?
Each year, approximately 4,000 children and teens in the U.S. are diagnosed with brain tumors—the most common solid tumor in pediatrics. These complex conditions require specialized expertise and a care model designed specifically for young patients.
As a freestanding children’s hospital, CHKD provides comprehensive medical, surgical, and mental health services tailored to children, adolescents, and young adults. Families benefit from access to expert care close to home, without the burden of long-distance travel.
Serving Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, northeastern North Carolina, and surrounding regions, CHKD is part of an integrated pediatric health system dedicated to compassionate, family-centered care. Our welcoming environment and personalized approach help ensure families feel supported throughout their child’s treatment journey.
Conditions We Treat
We offer a comprehensive coordinated care team to treat all forms of childhood brain and spinal cord tumors including, but not limited to:
Contact Us
Phone: (757) 668-7243
Fax: (757) 668-7811
Our neuro-oncology multi-disciplinary team includes:
- Educational Consultants - Pam Johnson and Grant Pavlik
- Endocrinology
- Medical Social Work
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Nurse Navigators - Kelsey Sowell and Deb Zapata
- Nutrition Services
- Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy
Treatment Options
Chemotherapy medications slow down cancer cell growth. If indicated, our Neuro-oncologists use chemotherapy, often in conjunction with other treatment options, as part of the treatment plan based on your child’s diagnosis and individualized needs.
Radiation is a treatment option for brain and spinal tumors. CHKD partners with regional medical centers to provide advanced radiation treatment options for children, including proton therapy if appropriate for your child’s condition.
If surgery is an option for treatment, our expert neurosurgeons will use advanced, minimally invasive techniques to treat your child.
There are new treatments and medications that are designed to target specific mutations in brain tumors and help your child’s own immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. Here at CHKD, our Neuro-Oncology team works closely with insurance providers to help secure approval for these drugs when they are appropriate for your child.
Patient & Family Resources
Our Patient Stories
Logan's Life-Changing Procedure
Ethan the Brave
A Journey of Strength
