Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor
Disease Information
Overview
As a pediatric oncologist, you get introduced and ingrained in families. You have the privilege of being invited into their lives and our role is to guide them trough the treatment.
Susan Chi, MD
Having a tumor in the brain or spinal cord is always a very serious matter. An atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor is an aggressive tumor of the central nervous system. If your child has been diagnosed with AT/RT, there are a number of things that you should know:
- AT/RT can occur anywhere in the brain but are most commonly found in cerebellum (base of the brain) and brain stem (the part of the brain that controls basic body functions).
- This type of tumor usually occurs in children under 3 but it can sometimes occur in older children and adults.
- AT/RT was previous thought to be a type of medulloblastoma. However, it is now known to be a separate type of tumor and is treated differently.
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AT/RT represents only 1 to 2 percent of childhood brain tumors.
How Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center approaches ATRT
Children’s Hospital Boston’s patients who have teratoid rhabdoid tumors are treated through Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center, New England’s largest and most active pediatric brain tumor treatment center. Our team provides advanced treatment options for young patients with AT/RT and other brain tumors.
As you read further, you’ll find general information about acute teratoid rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT). If you would like to view summary information about brain tumors first, see the overview on brain tumors.
ATRT: Reviewed by Susan Chi, MD
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