Dr. Jeffrey Allen and Dr. Sharon Gardner lead the medical component of the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology team with collaboration from other physicians including Dr. William Carroll, Dr. Elizabeth Raetz, and Dr. Olubunmi Afonja.
The program provides comprehensive care for infants, children, and young adults with primary central nervous system (CNS) slow-growing and malignant tumors. They work closely with members of NYUMC’s Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, the Division of Neuro-Radiology, and the Division of Radiation Oncology to provide the safest and most effective curative treatment for patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent CNS tumors.
After a comprehensive review of a patient’s
- medical history,
- neurological examination,
- laboratory data,
- MRIs, and
- neuropathology
Each new patient’s case is presented at a weekly multi-disciplinary Adult and Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Tumor Board to determine the best treatment options for each individual patient. Dr. Allen and Dr. Gardner coordinate a patient’s care with the help of pediatric nurse practitioners and clinical research associates.
When some forms of medical treatment are required, chemotherapy can be administered either through the Hassenfeld Center or through Tisch Hospital. Central venous lines are inserted in most children who require frequent venous access. Anesthesia is routinely available for procedures such as a lumbar puncture and daily radiation treatment in younger patients.
Our Program provides the most current and advanced treatment options to our patients. We are major participants in the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) brain tumor trials and other clinical trials brain tumor consortiums. Both Drs. Allen and Gardner have provided leadership roles in several COG studies.
Dr. Allen led the Brain Tumor Steering Committee for the Children’s Cancer Group from 1990-95 and has served on numerous study committees. He is the Principal Investigator (PI) for a recently completed Phase II COG study that explored the potential benefits and tolerance of pre-radiation chemotherapy followed by twice daily cranio-spinal radiotherapy among patients with high-risk PNET. Dr. Allen is also the PI of a Phase III study comparing standard radiotherapy alone to chemotherapy with reduced radiotherapy among patients with newly diagnosed CNS germinomas. Dr. Gardner has not only participated in several brain tumor committees, but is devising a new protocol for children with recurrent PNET using high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral stem cell support.
Children undergoing the physical and psychological trauma of major neurosurgical procedures, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are at high risk to have neurological, cognitive, hormonal, and behavioral challenges. We have devised a comprehensive program involving neurological examinations, neuro-imaging procedures, neuro-psychological evaluation, endocrine assessments, and home and school visits to assess and lessen late effects of treatment.
