Neuro-Oncology
Children’s of Alabama Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors)
When your child has been diagnosed with a brain or other central nervous system tumor, it’s important to seek out specialized, comprehensive medical attention. Here at Children’s of Alabama we are dedicated to setting the highest standards for pediatric Neuro-Oncology management and treatment. Our nationally recognized program combines multi-disciplinary expertise to provide each child we meet with a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan that incorporates the most up to date therapies with compassionate care.
Why Choose Us?
The Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorder’s Pediatric Neuro-Oncology program is one of the largest in the United States, with over 75 children newly diagnosed each year. Our expert team has trained across the country to provide exceptional care for conditions that many providers may only see once or twice in a lifetime. Regardless of the diagnosis, we offer specialized and comprehensive treatment options with a goal to successfully treat the children we care for and see them return to happy and productive lives.
We are active members of Children’s Oncology Group (COG), COG Phase I Consortium, Neurofibromatosis Consortium, Next Consortium, and Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC) all of which conduct cutting-edge clinical trials for pediatric patients with brain, spine, and nervous system tumors. Treatment on clinical trials are offered to all eligible patients, providing access to the most current and novel therapies available.
Our Approach to Care
Here at Children’s of Alabama, we offer frontline medical care which includes individualized molecular testing, targeted therapies, clinical trials, and the ability to receive surgical, therapeutic, stem-cell transplant, and radiation therapies all in one location.
Our team is dedicated to providing expert care. Our clinicians are committed to high quality patient interactions and accessibility to the most up-to-date treatment options. Additionally, they are constantly working behind the scenes to grow the field of Neuro-Oncology through participation in nationwide consortiums and disease focused research.
We believe in a teamwork approach and work to provide comprehensive care through coordination with multiple specialties including, but not limited to:
• Neurosurgery
• Neurology
• Radiation Oncology
• Neuroradiology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Ophthalmology
• Endocrinology
Treating a patient means treating the entire family. Our Family Support Team is here to help provide emotional, mental, and spiritual support during your child’s treatment journey. This team includes:
• Hope & Cope Psychosocial and Education Resources
• Child Life Specialists
• Social Workers
• School Liaisons
Brain Tumor Program Conditions We Treat
• Astrocytoma
• AT/RT
• Choroid plexus papilloma/carcinomas
• Craniopharyngioma
• CNS Germ Cell Tumors
• DIPG
• Ependymoma
• Embryonal Tumors
• Ganglioglioma
• High-grade Gliomas
• Low-grade Gliomas
• Medulloblastoma
• Optic pathway/Hypothalamic Gliomas
• Neurofibromatosis Type 1 related tumors
• Neurofibromatosis Type 1 related tumors
• Spinal Cord Tumors
Referring physicians/facilities
New Patient Referrals: A physician's referral is required to schedule a first appointment in the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology clinic
We are happy to review new patient referrals and/or second opinion consults with our team. To help expedite this process, please include the following information in your referral:
- Patient name and demographic information
- Recent clinic notes including lab work
- Operative Notes
- Pathology Reports
- Imaging Reports
*Referral information can be faxed to: 205-638-2511, Attn: Lisa Allred.
Neuro-Oncology Team
Neuro-Oncologists:
Girish Dhall, MD
Laura "Katie" Metrock, MD
Elizabeth Alva, MD
Mary “Beth” Littrell, M.D.
Nurse Practitioners:
Marla Thompson, CRNP
Micah Higgins, CRNP
Courtney Ledenham, CRNP
Neuro-Surgery:
Jeffery Blount, MD
James Johnston, MD
Curtis Rozelle, MD
Brandon Rocque, MD
Radiation Oncology:
John Fiveash, M.D.
Mike Soike, M.D.
Neuropsychology
Palliative Care:
Susan Buckingham, M.D.
Sasha Ramini, CRNP
Hope and Cope Family Support Team:
Social Worker- Jan Robertson, LCSW
Child Life Specialist- Mary Haddow, MS, CCLS
Chaplain- Micah Bruxvoort, M. Div., BCC
School Liason
Patient Stories
Kaden Wade
Medulloblastoma
“He had a brain tumor in the back of his brain that was the size of a baseball,” Jamie Wade, Kaden’s mother, said...
Kaden's Story
Dean Stratton
Anaplastic ependymoma (brain tumor)
Dean Stratton of Tuscaloosa began suffering severe gastrointestinal symptoms typical of colitis when he was just 5 months old...
Dean's Story
