Brain Tumor Surgery
Often, brain tumor treatment involves removing all or part of the tumor through surgery. At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, our neurosurgeons use advanced techniques to give your child a better outcome.
Our outcomes and safety records exceed those of our peers—and we have achieved national recognition for this exceptional care. And Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is the highest-ranked pediatric hospital in California.
Treatment for Brain Tumors in Children
Your child’s treatment plan may involve surgery alone or in combination with other treatments, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
We use the most advanced surgical techniques, including:
Craniotomy
A craniotomy involves removing a small piece of the skull to operate on the brain. A craniotomy is the most common surgery for treating brain tumors.
With a craniotomy, neurosurgeons can:
- Look closely at your child’s brain
- Release any excess pressure in the brain
- Remove the brain tumor
Endoscopic Surgery
Endoscopic surgery uses an endoscope—a thin, flexible tube with a tiny high-tech camera on the end. Neurosurgeons use small, special tools along with the endoscope to perform endoscopic surgery. This type of brain surgery is minimally invasive; neurosurgeons insert the endoscope through the nose or through a small incision in the skull.
The camera used during endoscopic surgery shows a high-tech, magnified image of your child’s brain, helping surgeons operate more precisely and safely. Benefits of endoscopic surgery include:
- Decreased risk of complications
- Faster recovery
- Minimal side effects
Frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Stereotactic radiosurgery uses a targeted dose of radiation to shrink the tumor. The radiation destroys specific cells in the tumor to prevent the tumor from growing. Using radiosurgery, doctors can direct the radiation precisely to the tumor without affecting healthy parts of the brain.
In the past, children needed to wear a large head frame attached to their skull with screws to keep the head still during treatment. They had to stay in the hospital with the head frame on until they finished treatment. Now, we use a frameless approach.
Laser Ablation Surgery
Laser ablation surgery uses focused beams of light to destroy tumor cells. During this procedure, neurosurgeons use an advanced surgical robot. This robotic tool allows surgeons to operate on the tumor with only one small incision.
This surgery uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for a more precise approach. Using laser treatment is less invasive, so your child benefits from:
- A shorter hospital stay
- Decreased risk of complications
- Less pain
- Quicker recovery
Pediatric Brain Tumor Treatment at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Our neurosurgeons collaborate with neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists and other experts to diagnose and treat brain and spinal cord tumors in children. This team approach means your child receives advanced, timely care. Learn more about brain tumor diagnosis and treatments.
