Running Head: RESEARCH ASSESSMENT #4

Research Assessment #4
Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment Overview
Nisha Anbu
Independence High School

Abstract

RESEARCH ASSESSMENT #4

This article Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment Overview by the National
Cancer Institute discusses the basic definition of Brain and Spinal cord tumors in children as well
as discusses the development of this cancer and provides information on potential treatment for
patients that are experiencing this type of cancer. Along with this basic information the article
then goes into specific details on the specific stages of these cancers and the new diagnostic
procedures in the field that have been newly established.

Research Assessment #4
What I Learned

RESEARCH ASSESSMENT #4

I had my second research interview with Dr. Klesse, a Pediatric Oncologist, but what I
didnt know before I interviewed her was that she specialized in brain tumors or cancers related
to the nervous system. After hearing of Dr. Klesses experiences with treating and diagnosing
this type of cancer, I wanted to learn more about brain cancer in general. Through this article I
was able to learn more about what Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors were in general. I
learned that, just like other cancers, Brain and Spinal Cord Cancer was when abnormal cells
formed in the tissue of the brain or spinal cord. I already knew this previously because most
cancers are mainly due to the development of abnormal cancer cell in a specific part of the
body--hence different cancers receive their name. Through this article I also learned of the
different treatment options for this type of cancer. The most common treatment option includes
surgery to remove the malignant tissue, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. I also learned of a
new type of treatment that, High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant, which is being
tested in clinical trials. As my topic of study is Pediatric Oncology, I am mainly interested in the
different treatment options available in order to treat this cancer because as a Pediatric
Oncologist the main job they fulfill is treating cancer patients.
Relevance
The information in this article is relevant to me because I have an interest in both
Pediatric Oncology and neurology, and in the future if I wish to combine both those interest I
would be beneficial to know of this information. Also, after hearing about Brain Cancer from my
interviews I became interested in what it is therefore in order to widen my perspective in
Oncology this information on Pediatric Brain Cancer was relevant to me.

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Relation to Previous Knowledge

After completing the previous research assessment I learned about the basic information
in treatment and characteristics of cancers in general. I learned that cancers are mainly caused by
an abnormal growth of cells, malignant or benign, formed in a certain part of the body. I also
learned of some basic procedures to treat these cancers including surgical removal and
chemotherapy. After reading this article this previous knowledge I learned was connected to this
type of cancer as well. Because the brain is such a vital organ to our body, and especially in
children as it is in its developing stages, it can be crucial to treat these cancers as soon as
possible because the physiological health of the child is our main concern.
Surprising Information
One thing I found surprising in this article was about the new development of High-dose
chemotherapy with stem cell transplant as a potential new form of Treatment not only for Brain
and Spinal Cord Tumors, but also for other cancers in the future.
Further Question
After reading this article I want to learn more about if there are any medications that
could be used to treat this type of cancer. I also want to learn more about how these cancers
physically and emotionally affect patients experiencing this cancer. I want to learn more about if
children experiencing this cancer experience any growth development problem in their future
after treatment or if there are any physiological side effects to these treatments

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References
Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment Overview (2015). Retrieved
October 22, 2015.
<http://www.cancer.gov/types/brain/patient/child-brain-treatment-pdq>