At the Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), we regularly receive inquiries from families seeking a second opinion regarding the diagnosis or treatment of a CNS tumor in their child. We fully understand how stressful this situation is and that there is a strong desire for additional guidance and reassurance.
In Germany, the care of children and adolescents with cancer takes place within a closely networked system of specialized pediatric oncology centers. A central component of this system is the national study groups of the Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH) as well as the interdisciplinary structures of the HIT Network for the treatment of children and adolescents with brain tumors. In these forums, diagnostic findings and complex disease courses are regularly discussed jointly with the involvement of all relevant specialties (including pediatric oncology, neuroradiology, neuropathology, neurosurgery, radiation therapy, and molecular genetics) in order to develop well-founded treatment recommendations based on this information. Many of these study groups include doctors and researchers from KiTZ, who actively participate in the discussions.
Against this backdrop, we currently offer second opinions at KiTZ for children and adolescents with CNS tumors only in the context of participation in clinical trials (see below) or for specific questions regarding molecular diagnostics. For general questions regarding patient treatment, we recommend seeking second opinions through the relevant national study groups. It is important to note that presentations to these expert panels are typically made by the treating pediatric neuro-oncology teams. This is the only way to ensure that all necessary medical information is available in its entirety and within the correct clinical context, thereby enabling a responsible assessment.
We therefore strongly encourage you to speak with your child’s current treating physicians and specifically ask them about the possibility of obtaining a second opinion through the relevant study groups. The treating teams are familiar with these structures and can initiate the necessary steps for a referral, unless this has already been done as part of the ongoing care.
Clinical Trials
The Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) continuously conducts clinical trials for the treatment of recurrent tumors in children and adolescents. Under certain conditions, these trials provide access to new treatment approaches while also helping to further improve care for future patients.
If you are interested in the possibility of participating in a study, we recommend that you also discuss this with your child’s treating physicians. They can assess whether a suitable study is available and, if necessary, put you in touch with our center.
Our shared goal is to achieve the best possible, individually tailored treatment for every child affected.
