Brain Tumor Diagnosis and Treatments

At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, we offer comprehensive, personalized testing and treatments to give your child the best chance for a positive outcome.

With over 150 new patients a year, we are one of the biggest and highest-performing pediatric brain tumor programs in the country. And we have one of the largest pediatric brain tumor research programs in the U.S. This extensive research means your child’s treatment team includes experts who consistently set and raise the standards for brain tumor care.

Diagnosis for Brain Tumors in Children

An accurate diagnosis helps your child quickly start the best treatment. Our expert neuropathologists and neuroradiologists provide more efficient and timely diagnoses.

Neuropathology

Neuropathologists help us identify the tumor type, which allows our brain tumor team to create a customized treatment plan for your child. Our neuropathologists provide expert evaluation of all types of pediatric brain and central nervous system tumors. Discover how timely treatment starts with neuropathology. 

Neuroradiology

The more we know about the makeup of the tumor, the better we can treat it. We use advanced imaging options such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy scans. This technology allows us to evaluate the type of tumor and well as its size and location.

Our imaging expertise helps us provide targeted, effective treatment. Learn more about neuroradiology.

Treatment for Brain Tumors in Children

We strive to make your child’s treatment journey as smooth as possible for your whole family. That’s why we offer all specialty services in one convenient location. Not only does this reduce the need to wait for care, but it also relieves the burden on your family of traveling elsewhere for specialty treatment.

Our Brain Tumor Center offers advanced treatment options for all types of brain and spinal cord tumors. Treatment may include:

• Brain tumor surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation oncology treatments
• Endocrine disorder treatments
• Neuropsychology evaluations

Brain tumor surgery

We have one of the top 5 largest brain tumor surgery programs in the nation, and we offer the most advanced surgical treatments. Our specialists perform a total of more than 100 surgeries per year. These experts regularly treat tumors that many other specialists only treat once or twice in their lifetimes. Find out more about brain tumor surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treatment typically occurs in our outpatient pediatric Infusion Center. We designed our Infusion Center to make children feel welcome and as at-ease as possible. The center has movies to watch during infusions and a Child Life team on-site.

While most children receive chemotherapy in our Infusion Center, some children get chemo in our inpatient unit. Learn more about chemotherapy treatment.

Radiation oncology treatments

CHLA is one of the few children’s hospitals in the nation with a dedicated pediatric radiation therapy unit. Our child-friendly focus is evident: The unit has bright colors, books, video games and more to help put your child at ease. And our specially trained staff members are experts at helping your child feel more comfortable.

Endocrine disorder treatments

Brain tumors sometimes cause side effects related to the endocrine system, which makes and regulates hormones in the body. Some of these symptoms include problems with growth, development or thyroid function.

Our Brain Tumor Center includes a specialized neuroendocrinologist, so your child receives timely treatment for these side effects without needing to wait for a referral. Find out more about endocrine disorder treatments.

Neuropsychology assessment

Fewer than 100 neuropsychologists in the country specialize in pediatric care. At Children’s Hospital, our pediatric-trained neuropsychologists evaluate how a brain or spinal cord tumor may affect your child’s thinking and behavior. Our experts provide a detailed assessment of your child’s strengths and areas of need to help schools provide the necessary resources. Learn more about neuropsychology evaluations.

Brain Tumor Care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Our brain tumor experts provide leading-edge care in a child-friendly environment. Learn more about how our Brain Tumor Center can help your child.

Contact us

To schedule an appointment with the Brain Tumor Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, call 323-361-6600.