A Comprehensive, Multidisciplinary Approach
The Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program provides comprehensive care for children with benign and malignant tumors of the brain, spine and peripheral nerves. All patients are presented in a multidisciplinary tumor board conference involving pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric neuro-oncologists, neuropathologists, neuroradiologists, and radiation oncologists.
Neurosurgeons at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital have extensive experience with childhood cancers and central nervous system tumors involving children, including pilocytic astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, ependymoma and diffuse midline glioma (previously referred to as diffuse intrinsic pediatric glioma or DIPG). Pediatric neuro-oncologists and radiation oncologists work together to provide the appropriate treatments before or after surgery, which may include chemotherapy and/or radiation based on the tumor type and patient age.
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is proud to be a member of the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN). Previously known as the Children’s Brain Tumor Tissue Consortium, the CBTN is a centralized tumor bank involving more than 18 member institutions from around the world. By contributing samples of pediatric tumors, we are contributing to research to develop new treatments for pediatric brain tumors.
Safety In Surgery
To make biopsy and tumor removal surgery as safe as possible, we employ modern techniques such as:
- Stereotaxy: using a computer that syncs an imaging study to a patient’s anatomy
- Endoscopy: using a small camera with an attached light source to biopsy or remove tumor tissue through a minimally-invasive approach
- Tubular retractors: using a cylinder to gently push surrounding brain away to access a tumor
For tumors deep in the brain, such as pituitary tumors or craniopharyngiomas, the use of a small camera through the nose (an endonasal transsphenoidal endoscopic approach) may be beneficial.
Pediatric Tumors | Conditions We Treat
- Medulloblastoma
- Pilocytic astrocytoma
- Ependymoma
- Diffuse midline glioma (previously called DIPG)
- Low grade glioma
- Skull or scalp lesions
- Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
- Neurofibromatosis type 1
- Neurofibromatosis type 2
- Meningioma
- Craniopharyngioma
- Hypothalamic hamartoma
- Pituitary tumors
- Pineal region tumors
Clinical Trials and Wellness and Survivorship Program
Our Neuro-Oncologists are involved in multicenter clinical trials focusing on the treatment of children with tumors. The Oncology team has also established a unique Wellness and Survivorship Program that focuses on managing late effects that occur after initial treatment for childhood cancers to provide comprehensive medical and psychosocial care. Additionally, we are home to a robust Pediatric Hematology Oncology Fellowship Program.
Contact Us
Phone: 914.775.5437
Fax: 914.650.5437
19 Bradhurst Avenue
Suite 3050 N
Hawthorne, NY 10532
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19 Baker Avenue
Medical Arts Pavilion
Suite 301
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
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Our Providers
Pisapia, Jared, MD, MTR
Attending Pediatric Neurosurgeon
Surgical Director of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program
Surgical Director of Peripheral Nerve Surgery Program
Surgical Co-Director of Craniofacial Program
Multi-Disciplinary Team
Pediatric Neurosurgery
Jared Pisapia, MD
Carrie Muh, MD
Pediatric Neuro-Oncology
Katherine Pehlivan, MD
Jeremy Rosenblum, MD
Radiation Oncology
Keith Meritz, MD
Chitti Moorthy, MD
Neuroradiology
Hasit Mehta, MD
Neuropathology
George Kleinman, MD
ENT
Matthew Kim, MD
Augustine Moscatello, MD
Pediatric/Oncologic Ophthalmology
Kelly Hutcheson, MD
William Deegan, MD
Nurse Coordinator
Tara Giblin, MS, MPH, CPNP
Physician Assistant
Rachel Lehrer, PA