Chemotherapy is being studied in clinical trials as a means of delaying,modifying or eliminating the need for radiation therapy in younger patients, as well as for use prior to or during radiation therapy. Treatment by type Treatment for childhood brain tumor depends on the type and grade of the tumor,its location within the brain, and your child's age and overall health. Your child may receive treatment that is considered standard based on its effectiveness in a number of patients in past studies, or you may choose to have your child enter a clinical trial. Not all patients are cured with standard therapy and some standard treatments may have more side effects than are desired. For these reasons, clinical trials are designed to test new treatments and to find better ways to treat people with cancer.
Clinical trials are ongoing in most parts of the country for childhood brain tumors.
Childhood infratentorial ependymoma Treatment for childhood infratentorial ependymoma is usually surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, followed by radiation therapy. For children younger than 3 years of age, chemotherapy may be given to delay, modify, or eliminate the use of radiation therapy. Childhood supratentorial ependymoma Treatment for childhood supratentorial ependymoma may be surgery followed by radiation therapy. Clinical trials are evaluating surgery followed by chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy. For children younger than 3 years of age, chemotherapy may be given to delay or modify the use of radiation therapy.