Participating Sites

Description

The mission of the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital is to promote the well-being of children and adolescents with brain tumors and spinal cord tumors by ensuring excellence in patient care, education, and research. Our patients and their families are our top priority and we provide the comprehensive care that they need, with expert physicians in multiple sub-specialties as well as staff who meet the needs that go beyond the medical and surgical treatments. We are recognized as one of the leading childhood brain tumor programs on the West Coast, and are partnering with the PNOC to pave the way toward better treatments. OHSU Doernbecher ranks among the nation’s top hospitals for Cancer and Neurosurgery/Neurology in U.S. News & World Report.

The diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for children and adolescents with central nervous system (CNS) tumors and cancers can be complex, and the best possible outcomes are achieved when the patient is under the care of a team of experts. Coordination is required between pediatric neuro-oncology, pediatric neurosurgery, radiation medicine, neuroradiology, neuropathology, ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric neurology, pediatric endocrinology, neuropsychology, and our Survivorship Team. Pediatric neuro-oncology is the home base for this coordinated care, and the team includes two pediatric neuro-oncologists, as well as a dedicated nurse practitioner, outpatient clinic nurse, medical social worker, school teacher/liaison, scheduler, clinical research associate, and an administrative coordinator. The team strives to recognize the individual journey that each patient and family is on, to join with them, offer them the best possible medical care, and tailor their all-around care to their child’s specific needs.

The Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Tumor Board is a weekly working group attended by pediatric neuro-oncology, pediatric neurosurgery, neuroradiology, radiation medicine, neuropathology, and trainees from all disciplines. New patients and established patients with new issues are discussed. Imaging (MRI) and pathology slides are reviewed after a brief case presentation, and treatment plans are decided upon as a team. This offers the wisdom and experience of every expert on the team to every child under our care.

The Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Clinic is a weekly multi-disciplinary clinic for patients undergoing surveillance MRIs during their treatment or after their treatment is complete. MRIs are reviewed with neuroradiology prior to the clinic so that results can be shared with the patient and their family immediately. All patients are seen by pediatric neuro-oncology, a medical social worker, and a school teacher/liaison. Patients may also have visits with other specialists in this clinic, as needed, including pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric endocrinology, radiation medicine, or pediatric neurology. Visits are also coordinated with other providers outside our clinic, such as ophthalmology or audiology. This coordination of visits is especially important for families who drive 6 hours or more to see our team. Long-term follow-up is also offered in the Survivorship Clinic, which is attended regularly by one of the pediatric neuro-oncologists.

The program is dedicated to improving treatments, outcomes, and quality of life through research. We are an active member of the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC), Children’s Oncology Group (COG), and a Phase I Center for the COG, so our institution has been recognized as one of the leaders in excellence in conducting clinical trials and experimental therapies are offered in several settings. We also partner with our Pediatric Cancer Biology Program to push the field of discovery and treatment forward for children with CNS tumors.

Housing Information

Portland’s two Ronald McDonald Houses® provide a “home away from home” for families and their seriously ill children who travel from out of town to receive treatment at Doernbecher. There are also other short- and long-term housing options, that can be found on the OHSU website.

To hear a pre-recorded message listing preferred contracted hotels, call (503) 418-2338.

Team

• Matthew Miller, MD

  Principal Investigator, Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist

• Christopher Park, MD

  Co-Principal Investigator, Pediatric Neuro-Oncologist

Contact