Your Support Team

Who’s in your team?

Which health professionals will I see?

If your GP or another doctor suspects you have a brain or spinal cord tumour, they will arrange the first tests to investigate your symptoms. You may then be referred to a neurologist, neurosurgeon or oncologist who will examine you and may do more tests and advise you about your treatment options.

You will be cared for by a range of health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your treatment (called multidisciplinary care). Your team will probably include some or all of the following health professionals.

    
        Profession
        Description
    
        Nurses
        A range of nurses may assess, treat, and care for your child. Nurse specialists are nurses who are experts - some specialise in brain tumours. Oncology nurses specialise in the care of patients with cancer.
    
        Oncologists
        These are doctors who specialize in the treatment of cancer. 
            A Paediatric oncologist specialises in treating children.
A Medical oncologist prescribes chemotherapy.
A Radiation oncologist manages the delivery of radiation (a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours).

        Neurosurgeons
        These doctors diagnose and surgically treat brain tumours (and other diseases and injuries of the brain and nervous system).
    
        Other doctors
        
            There may be a number of other doctors that are involved when a child has a brain tumour.
            A general physician may be part of the diagnosis.
A pathologist examines and identifies brain cells.
A psychiatrist has a special interest in behaviour and the effects of a tumour on wellbeing.
A palliative care specialist may also be involved if your child needs treatment of symptoms that cannot be cured.

        Multidisciplinary teams
        
            There are a range of important roles that may be integral to your child’s treatment. Your child’s team may also include:
            A psychologist
A psychotherapist
A play specialist
A teacher
A Māori or Pacific Island support worker, physiotherapist or occupational therapist or others depending on your child’s particular needs.

Profession	Description
Nurses	A range of nurses may assess, treat, and care for your child. Nurse specialists are nurses who are experts - some specialise in brain tumours. Oncology nurses specialise in the care of patients with cancer.
Oncologists	These are doctors who specialize in the treatment of cancer. A Paediatric oncologist specialises in treating children. A Medical oncologist prescribes chemotherapy. A Radiation oncologist manages the delivery of radiation (a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours).
Neurosurgeons	These doctors diagnose and surgically treat brain tumours (and other diseases and injuries of the brain and nervous system).
Other doctors	There may be a number of other doctors that are involved when a child has a brain tumour. A general physician may be part of the diagnosis. A pathologist examines and identifies brain cells. A psychiatrist has a special interest in behaviour and the effects of a tumour on wellbeing. A palliative care specialist may also be involved if your child needs treatment of symptoms that cannot be cured.
Multidisciplinary teams	There are a range of important roles that may be integral to your child’s treatment. Your child’s team may also include: A psychologist A psychotherapist A play specialist A teacher A Māori or Pacific Island support worker, physiotherapist or occupational therapist or others depending on your child’s particular needs.

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