Neuro-oncology
Within neuro-oncology, care and research go hand in hand. At the Máxima, expertise comes together in the fields of surgery, diagnostics, neuropsychology, and the research and development of new treatments. The goal is clear: to offer every child with a tumor of the central nervous system the best possible treatment while at the same time learning from each patient. We treat children with neuro-oncological malignancies from the Netherlands and, for specific care pathways, also from abroad.
Contact
Eelco Hoving
Clinical Director Neuro-oncology, Biobank & Clinical Research Committee
Brain tumors are the second most common form of cancer in children, after leukemia. Some brain tumors still present a major challenge to cure while maintaining an optimal quality of life. They aim to better understand the biological processes underlying brain tumors, further improve treatments, and develop new therapies, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy. In doing so, they use technologies that have partly been developed at the Máxima, such as organoids, intraoperative DNA sequencing, and imaging with Augmented Reality.
We strive not only to improve survival rates, but also to safeguard the quality of life of children with a brain tumor. Collaboration between disciplines is structurally embedded in the care pathways and in the design and execution of clinical studies. The child is central in everything we do, and we remain committed to our mission: to cure every child with cancer with optimal quality of life.
Patient population and care portfolio
Within neuro-oncology, we treat annually, among others:
Ependymomas and choroid plexus tumors: approximately 12 children per year
Astrocytomas: approximately 43 children per year
Intracranial and intraspinal embryonal tumors: approximately 20 children per year
Other types of gliomas: approximately 20 children per year
Team and organization
The clinical neuro-oncology team consists of:
clinical specialists
nurse specialists
academic positions