Co-authored by Danielle Kerkovich, Ph.D. and Jeanne Young
Reviewed by Tobey MacDonald, M.D.

The 11th International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (ISPNO) was held on June 13-16, 2004 at the Westin Copley in Boston, MA.  The Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) was pleased to be one of the sponsors for this comprehensive conference organized by neuro-oncology professionals for medical professionals dealing with the many various aspects of neuro-oncology in children.  Experts from around the world convened to share treatment and research results.  This year’s ISPNO was chaired by Dr. Mark Kieran and co-chaired by Dr. Peter Black.  Attendees were warmly welcomed by Drs. Kieran and Black, as well as Drs. Archie Bleyer and Roger J. Packer.  This article covers only a small fraction of the topics discussed.

In April of 1999, the Children’s National Medical Center was named as one of nine institutions in the United States selected for membership in the newly formed Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium (PBTC).  This Consortium, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), was developed to perform innovative, technologically challenging studies for children with brain tumors; studies designed to improve survival and quality of life.  The nine institutions were chosen after a competitive review of their past experience in the care of children with brain tumors, the depth of their pediatric brain tumor program, the clinical resources of the institution, and their ability to perform innovative research.  The chosen programs are listed in Table One.