Brain Tumor Treatment

The Children's Mercy Brain Tumor Program offers specialized care for children diagnosed with malignant brain tumors. Our clinical team focuses on treating a full range of conditions related to brain tumors in pediatric patients, including rare diagnoses such as high-grade gliomas, diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors.

Brain tumors in children

Patients are cared for by a team of specialized physicians. Led by Kevin Ginn, MD, the team includes oncologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, neurologists, rehabilitative professionals, and other clinical staff. Twice a month, a dedicated team of providers from these clinical specialties will meet to discuss each patient's unique treatment needs. 

The program focuses heavily on coordination of therapy and pursuing cutting-edge clinical trials to discover new forms of treatment. We are launching new research collaborations with local and national groups to diagnose brain tumors in children and increase treatment success rates for brain tumor patients.

Brain tumor symptoms and diagnosis

Children's Mercy treats nearly 200 newly diagnosed cancer patients each year. There are many symptoms that could possibly indicate the presence of a brain tumor. A brain tumor can cause symptoms by directly pressing on the surrounding parts of the brain that control certain body functions, or by causing a buildup of spinal fluid and pressure throughout the brain.

Each year, the Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Children’s Mercy Kansas City provides comprehensive care to nearly 2,000 children with childhood cancers, sickle cell disease, hemophilia and other blood disorders, with survival rates frequently above national averages. 

Our commitment to clinical research and innovation has helped us earn recognition as one of the top cancer programs for kids in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Children’s Mercy also has received accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy.