Neuro-Oncology Working Group
Prof. Dr. Katrin Scheinemann, St. Gallen
Chair
Dr. André von Büren, Geneva
Vice Chair
Background
Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are the most common tumors in childhood and adolescence, accounting for around 25% of all new diagnoses. CNS tumours are a very heterogeneous group of tumours. The most recent developments in molecular diagnostics, partly reflected in the new WHO CNS tumor classification from 2021, have also opened up treatment opportunities besides the already established surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Children and adolescents with a CNS tumor require a multidisciplinary team approach. Despite increasing survival numbers, survivors of a childhood and adolescent CNS tumor still suffer from the highest mortality and morbidity within this cancer age group.
Aims
Establish a regular national neuro-oncology tumor board / case discussions with a focus on integrative molecular diagnostics and targeted therapy as well as phase I/II studies.
Evaluate and establish new international treatment protocols, registries and biological databanks for pediatric CNS tumor patients.
Collaborate with international trial groups like the German HIT group or the SIOPE Brain Tumor Group (having a Swiss representative in each discipline and tumor-specific working group)
Foster collaborative national research not only within neuro-oncology, but also all related disciplines, e.g., neurosurgery, neuropathology, etc.
Motivate and include younger colleagues to participate in the working group.
Responsibilities
Chair/Vice-Chair responsibilities:
Organization of regular working group meetings.
Defining the agenda and taking/distributing minutes.
Sharing progress of the working group with the SSPHO community at least annually.
Member responsibilities:
Active participation in the working group.
Support the improvement of neuro-oncology care for Swiss child and adolescent cancer patients.
