Solid tumors
Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor of the central nervous system
Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a rare, aggressive tumor of the brain or spinal cord, often associated with loss of SMARCB1 function or, less commonly, SMARCA4. Tissue and molecular testing guide diagnosis and may prompt genetic counseling.
Other names and abbreviations
AT/RT · ATRT · CNS AT/RT · atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor · malignant rhabdoid brain tumor · CNS atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumour · malignant rhabdoid tumour of the CNS
Where transplant fits
When stem cell rescue is used, it normally returns the patient’s own collected cells after intensive chemotherapy. It is one component of selected multimodal regimens, not a treatment requiring an unrelated marrow donor.
Treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, disease stage, prior treatment and the person’s health. These categories are not estimates of donor demand.
Treatment at a glance
- Who it affects
- AT/RT mainly affects very young children, although older children and adults can be affected.
- Other treatment options
- Treatment combines approaches such as surgery, intensive chemotherapy and radiation, adapted to the child’s age, tumor location, extent and protocol. Some regimens include high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue.
- Cells used for transplantation
- The patient’s own collected blood-forming cells for autologous stem cell rescue, when that procedure is appropriate.
Questions to bring to your care team
What is the exact diagnosis or subtype? What is the goal of each treatment option? If transplant is being considered, why does it fit this situation, which cells would be used and what are the alternatives?
Sources and further reading
- Childhood Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor Treatment (PDQ)
NCI · Accessed 2026-09-05 - Indications for haematopoietic cell transplantation and CAR-T: 2025 EBMT practice recommendations
EBMT / Bone Marrow Transplantation · Accessed 2026-09-05 - Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplants for Cancer
NCI · Accessed 2026-09-05
Understanding can become action.
Some patients need a blood stem cell donor. Others receive different treatment. Wherever your interest began, you can help JBF reach more people who may be able to donate.
Explore the official registry serving where you live. It explains who can join, how registration works and what donation involves.
Find your official registryIf joining is not right for you, a gift to the Jada Bascom Foundation supports education, outreach and referrals to official registries.
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