Mustafa Barbour, M.D., pediatric neuro-oncologist with Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, is working to advance pediatric neuro-oncology care in Kentucky, where the incidence of pediatric brain tumors exceeds the national average. In response, Dr. Barbour, who leads the Norton Children’s Brain & Spinal Tumor program, helps lead new research efforts to uncover potential causes of pediatric brain tumors statewide.

Combining his clinical expertise with a patient-centered approach to care, Dr. Barbour puts teamwork and compassion at the center of his work.

“Our goal [at the Brain & Spinal Tumor Program] is truly to provide the best care that is out there,” Dr. Barbour said. “That means diagnosing tumors in a timely fashion, teaming up with surgeons and other specialists to develop a treatment plan, and providing state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatments.”

The program is a collaboration of Norton Children’s Neuroscience Institute and Norton Children’s Cancer Institute.

Treating complex tumors as a team

Dr. Barbour sees a wide variety of cases, from low-grade gliomas to rare pediatric-specific tumors like atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors and medulloblastomas.

“We approach the care of each child as a team, not as individual providers,” he said. “When it comes to children with brain tumors, it takes a village, and we work together to provide individualized care for each patient.”

According to Dr. Barbour, team collaboration always leads to better patient outcomes. Multidisciplinary partners include neurosurgery, radiation, oncology, neurology, pharmacy and others who assist with coordination of care.

Caring for pediatric patients with brain tumors can be complex: making a diagnosis, figuring out the exact type of tumor, understanding the biology of the tumor and managing proper treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapies. It requires staying in constant contact with the various specialists in a child’s care team and openly sharing insights.

“No matter how good you are [as a provider], no matter what kind of tumor it is, it is really hard to provide the absolute best to any given child without collaborating with other specialists who can look at the issue from their angle and contribute their expertise,” Dr. Barbour said. “I cannot imagine doing it any other way.”

Evolving tools, expanding possibilities

Dr. Barbour’s work continues to evolve alongside advancements in neuro-oncology, including surgery, imaging and medications.

“The most exciting innovation that has really started to impact our patients is molecular therapeutics,” he said. “Most of the time, they are oral medicines with typically fewer side effects, and certainly more convenient compared with traditional chemotherapy and traditional therapies in general.”

This personalized approach to treatment allows providers to target specific genetic pathways that fuel tumor growth and proliferation — and block them with certain medications.

Dr. Barbour credits the Norton Children’s team for creating an environment where novel therapies can be delivered to patients safely and effectively.

Statewide research collaboration

Kentucky’s elevated rates of pediatric brain tumors have initiated a robust statewide research initiative. As part of Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, Dr. Barbour is involved in a collaborative study with colleagues at the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky to investigate the underlying biology of pediatric brain tumors diagnosed in Kentucky.

“In addition to imaging and looking under the microscope, the goal is to study each of these tumors molecularly to understand the biology and see if we can identify any specific genetic alterations,” Dr. Barbour said. “Under the microscope, many of these tumors look alike, but when you look deeper at DNA, RNA, methylation levels — each tumor is very different from one another.”

The study, which began in 2020 and has received support from the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund, has evolved into a statewide collaboration that allows researchers to share ideas and clinically support current patients. According to Dr. Barbour, this research is an opportunity not only to improve patient outcomes but potentially prevent certain types of brain cancers from developing.

“Hopefully, we will find things that will someday allow us to prevent some of the tumors we see in the children in our area,” he said.

The power of compassionate care

Beyond clinical leadership, Dr. Barbour is known for the remarkable rapport he builds with patients and their families.

“I try really hard to know the child as a child, not as a patient. I like to talk about school, the sports they play. I ask parents to show me a video or picture of their child before they got sick, whether playing sports or just running around. Having that in my mind helps me,” he said. “I’m privileged to care for a child, and for the parents to trust me to care for their kids — that’s priceless. It is an honor and responsibility.”

Families frequently describe Dr. Barbour as comforting, warm and informative.

“As a parent myself, I know that they would do anything to help their child,” he said. “Early on, we discuss basics; then I gradually help them start understanding the individual tumor and how we’re going to handle it. I give them advice, and am very honest with them, but at the same time — not just present the issue as a problem, but what we can do to solve the issue in that same conversation.”

A personal calling

Dr. Barbour always knew that he wanted to become a doctor, and his journey into oncology care was solidified in medical school, when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I was with her at every appointment, every time she was at the hospital,” Dr. Barbour said. “We were lucky to find a wonderful surgeon and medical oncologist, and that inspired me — not just oncology tumors and their biology, but the interactions with patients as an oncologist.”

When his clinical rotation was in pediatrics, everything clicked.

“It was the perfect combination for me: oncology and pediatrics,” he said. “I still think I have the most rewarding job in the world.”