Facial Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors Program
If your child has a tumor of the head or face, whether on the surface, in the mouth, around the teeth or deeper in the bone, the Facial Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has the multidisciplinary team to guide you as you seek the best path for your child.
While many patients who come to our program will be seen by just one physician for the removal or treatment of their facial tumor, for more complex cases, our program has multiple specialists who work in concert to provide the best outcome. From making timely diagnosis to establishing a care plan, our team members have the resources to provide your child with everything necessary for their individualized care, whether that includes surgery to remove the tumor, reconstruction, replacement of teeth, or the services of our oncologists.
Tumors of the head or face in children are usually developmental and random occurrences, with the cause unknown. While there are some tumors known to have genetic causes, these are very rare, meaning that in the vast majority of cases, neither you nor your child did anything to cause the tumor. Researchers at CHOP and other institutions are working to better understand the development of these types of tumors.
Psychosocial Support
In addition to the physical aspects of treatment, the emotional, social and psychological well-being of children and their families are vital parts of the care we provide. Included on our team are a psychologist and social worker who have extensive experience addressing psychosocial concerns arising from birth conditions or tumors that involve the facial structures.
Conditions We Treat
- Ameloblastoma
- Ameloblastic fibroma
- Branchial Cleft Cyst, Pits and Sinus Tracts
- Calcifying Odontogenic Tumor
- Congenital epulus
- Cysts
- Dentigerous Cyst
- Desmoid tumor
- Desmoblastic fibroma
- Keratinizing Odontogenic Tumor (Odontogenic Keratocyst)
- Odontogenic Myxoma
- Odontoma
- Fibro-osseous Tumors
- Fibrous Dysplasia
- Giant Cell Lesion of Bone (Central Giant Cell Tumor, Central Giant Cell Granuloma)
- Granular Cell Myoblastoma
- Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy
- Nasal Dermoid
- Pilomatrixoma
- Teratoma
- Vascular Tumors
Our Team
Throughout the course of treatment, your child will be cared for by physicians, advanced practice nurses, clinical coordinators, social workers, registered nurses, nutritionists, psychologists and child life specialists.
Contact Us
For any questions, contact Alexis Brandemarti, BSN, RN, at brandemartia@email.chop.edu or 215.713.8655.