Ependymoma
Definition
Ependymoma is a rare type of brain and spinal cord tumor that originates from ependymal cells lining the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. These tumors can occur at any age but are more common in children and young adults. Ependymomas can be benign or malignant and may cause various neurological symptoms depending on their location and size.
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Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program
The Yale Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program provides advanced care for children, adolescents, and young adults with brain tumors. Our multidisciplinary clinic brings together a team of experts to offer the latest treatments and support for both patients and their families. Our team includes specialists in pediatric oncology, neurosurgery, neurology, endocrinology, and radiation oncology who work alongside experienced psychosocial practitioners to provide truly multidisciplinary care. We ensure that your child receives a comprehensive approach to their medical needs and overall well-being. With clinic locations in New Haven, Trumbull, and Greenwich, we offer accessible care to families across the state. We are committed to supporting your child throughout the entire treatment process, from diagnosis to recovery. We use the latest research and clinical trials to provide the most advanced treatments available. Our on-site labs and “bench to bedside“ approach mean your child can access cutting-edge therapies in state-of-the-art facilities. The Yale Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program is proud to serve families from New England and the surrounding areas. Our focus is on your child's health and happiness, helping them thrive during and after their treatment.Pediatrics
Our uncompromising faculty and staff are dedicated to the welfare of children and adolescents. One of two major pediatric centers in Connecticut, Yale offers an extensive range of services for patients through our 14 specialties. In addition, we have several interdisciplinary centers and programs that involve collaborations with multiple departments throughout Yale Medicine and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. Thanks to our reputation for comprehensive pediatric care, we serve as a regional and national center for referral and consultation. Many of our physicians are internationally recognized for their innovative approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of conditions including arrhythmias, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, childhood cancers, juvenile diabetes, dyslexia, blood disorders, infectious diseases, and complications of premature birth, as well as many other disorders. We are leaders in the global pediatric community, advocates for childhood health and development, and innovators in research. We rank among the top pediatric centers in the country with respect to National Institutes of Health support for research. Neonatal and pediatric ICUs that serve our most vulnerable patients with the highest level of care 24/7 subspecialty telephone consultation service for primary care clinicians with expected response time of three minutes More than 20 years of experience with neonatal and pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, a sophisticated machine that acts as an artificial heart and lungs, crucial for some seriously ill infants One-call center that provides centralized appointment scheduling for all pediatric specialties Close collaboration with other Yale departments to provide such services as molecular and genetic diagnostic services, state-of-the art management of high-risk fetuses and newborns, bone marrow transplantation, and management of complex malignanciesCenter for Breast Cancer
The Center for Breast Cancer at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center provides coordinated, state-of-the-art care for patients with benign and malignant diseases of the breast. For patients diagnosed with breast cancer , we offer dedicated care, innovative treatment options, and cutting-edge research. A great deal of progress in the detection and treatment of breast cancer has been made in recent years, and our physicians are on the leading edge of finding even better solutions. Women with a diagnosis of breast cancer are cared for by a multidisciplinary team of physician specialists, including radiologists, breast surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and plastic surgeons. From the tranquility of the building, to our complementary therapy services, to the most sophisticated personalized therapies and equipment available, Yale is committed to tailoring treatment to our patients to ensure they have the best experiences possible during their time in our care. Breast Surgery Although many general surgeons perform breast surgery, dedicated breast surgeons have the experience and knowledge to handle difficult or unusual cases, and are generally more likely to understand the complexities of breast diagnosis and treatment. The surgeons at the Center for Breast Cancer at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center perform breast surgery exclusively, and are nationally known as leaders in their field. Yale surgeons were among the first to perform a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy, and were instrumental in the development of noninvasive procedures like sentinel lymph node biopsy, intraoperative guidance by ultrasound, and advanced oncoplastic procedures. Our surgeons are experienced in cutting-edge techniques, such as skin-sparing and nipple-sparing mastectomy, and often work hand-in-hand with our plastic surgeons to offer women a variety of options for breast reconstruction. Medical Oncology Many patients with breast cancer also need medical therapy, such as chemotherapy and/or endocrine therapy. Our team of experts utilizes both standard chemotherapies and novel targeted therapies to attack the cancer precisely while minimizing harm to normal tissues. Our medical oncologists are nationally recognized for their contributions to breast cancer research. For example, investigators at Yale helped to elucidate the biology of a cellular receptor called HER2. As a result, our medical oncologists have been successful in developing treatment strategies for HER2-positive breast cancer, and have extended this expertise to provide effective therapies for triple-negative/basal-like and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. They continue to study new treatments, and patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital have the opportunity to receive such novel therapies through clinical trials, many of which are not available elsewhere in Connecticut. New and complicated patient cases are discussed weekly by the entire team so that