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Brain tumor - children
Glioblastoma multiforme - children; Ependymoma - children; Glioma - children; Astrocytoma - children; Medulloblastoma - children; Neuroglioma - children; Oligodendroglioma - children; Meningioma - children; Cancer - brain tumor (children)
A brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain.
This article focuses on primary brain tumors in children.
Causes
The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown. P rimary brain tumors may be:
- Not cancerous (benign)
- Invasive (spread to nearby areas)
- Cancerous (malignant)
Brain tumors are classified based on:
- The exact site of the tumor
- The type of tissue involved
- Whether it is cancerous
Brain tumors can directly destroy brain cells. They can also indirectly damage cells by pushing on other parts of the brain. This leads to swelling and increased pressure inside the skull.
Tumors can occur at any age. Many tumors are more common at a certain age. In general, brain tumors in children are very rare.
COMMON TUMOR TYPES
Astrocytomas are usually noncancerous, slow-growing tumors. They commonly develop in children ages 5 to 8. Also called low-grade gliomas, these are the most common brain tumors in children.
Medulloblastomas are the most common type of childhood brain cancer. Most medulloblastomas occur before age 10.
Ependymomas are a type of childhood brain tumor that can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The location and type of ependymoma determine the type of therapy needed to control the tumor.
Brainstem gliomas are very rare tumors that occur almost only in children. The average age at which they develop is about 6. The tumor may grow very large before causing symptoms.
Symptoms
Symptoms may be subtle and only gradually become worse, or they may occur very quickly.
Headaches are often the most common symptom. But only very rarely do children with headaches have a tumor. Headache patterns that may occur with brain tumors include:
- Headaches that are worse when waking up in the morning and go away within a few hours
- Headaches that get worse with coughing or exercise, or with a change in body position
- Headaches that occur while sleeping and with at least one other symptom such as vomiting or confusion
Sometimes, the only symptoms of brain tumors are mental changes, which may include:
- Changes in personality and behavior
- Unable to concentrate
- Increased sleep
- Memory loss
- Problems with reasoning
Other possible symptoms are:
- Gradual loss of movement or feeling in an arm or leg
- Hearing loss with or without dizziness
- Speech difficulty
- Unexpected vision problem (especially if it occurs with a headache), including vision loss (usually of peripheral vision) in one or both eyes, or double vision
- Problems with balance
- Weakness or numbness
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Infants may have the following physical signs:
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Bulging fontanelle
Bulging fontanelle
A bulging fontanelle is an outward curving of an infant's soft spot (fontanelle).
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Enlarged eyes
- No red reflex in the eye
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Positive
Babinski reflex
Babinski reflex
Babinski reflex is one of the normal reflexes in infants. Reflexes are responses that occur when the body receives a certain stimulus. The Babinski ...
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The following tests may be used to detect a brain tumor and identify its location:
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CT scan of the head
CT scan of the head
A head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
MRI of the brain
MRI of the brain
A head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...
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Examination of the cerebral spinal fluid
(CSF)
Examination of the cerebral spinal flui
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is a group of laboratory tests that measure chemicals in the fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spina...
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Treatment
Treatment depends on the size and type of tumor and the child's general health. The goals of treatment may be to cure the tumor, relieve symptoms, and improve brain function or the child's comfort.
Surgery is needed for most primary brain tumors. Some tumors may be completely removed. In cases where the tumor cannot be removed, surgery may help reduce pressure and relieve symptoms. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used for certain tumors.
Chemotherapy
The term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...
The following are treatments for specific types of tumors:
-
Astrocytoma: Surgery to remove the tumor is the main treatment. Chemotherapy or
radiation therapy
may also be necessary.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Brainstem gliomas: Surgery is usually not possible because of the tumor's location deep in the brain. Radiation is used to shrink the tumor and prolong life.
- Ependymomas: Treatment includes surgery. Radiation and chemotherapy may be necessary.
- Medulloblastomas: Surgery alone does not cure this type of tumor. Chemotherapy with or without radiation is often used in combination with surgery.
Medicines used to treat primary brain tumors in children include:
- Corticosteroids to reduce brain swelling
- Diuretics (water pills) to reduce brain swelling and pressure
- Anticonvulsants to reduce or prevent seizures
- Pain medicines
Comfort measures, safety measures, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other such steps may be required to improve quality of life.
Support Groups
You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group . Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you and your child feel less alone.
Cancer support group
The following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society -- www. cancer. orgCancerCare -- www. cancercare. or...
Outlook (Prognosis)
How well the child does depends on many things, including the exact type of tumor. In general, about 3 out of 4 children survive at least 5 years after being diagnosed.
Long-term brain and nervous system problems may result from the tumor itself or from treatment. Children may have problems with attention, concentration, or memory. They may also have problems processing information, planning, insight, or initiative or desire to do things.
Children younger than age 7, especially younger than age 3, seem to be at greatest risk of these complications.
Parents need to make sure that children receive support services at home and at school.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call a provider if a child develops headaches that do not go away or other symptoms of a brain tumor.
Go to the emergency room if a child develops any of the following:
- Physical weakness
- Change in behavior
- Severe headache of unknown cause
- Seizure of unknown cause
- Vision changes
- Speech changes
References
Ater JL, Kuttesch JF. Brain tumors in childhood. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW III, Schor NF, Behrman RE, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 497.
Kieran MW, Chi SN, Manley PE, et al. Tumors of the brain and spinal cord. In: Orkin SH, Fisher DE, Ginsburg D, Look AT, Lux SE, Nathan DG, eds. Nathan and Oski's Hematology and Oncology of Infancy and Childhood . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 57.
National Cancer Institute: PDQ Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment Overview. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Date last modified June 24, 2015. www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/childbrain/healthprofessional . Accessed October 9, 2015.
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Brain - illustration
The major areas of the brain have one or more specific functions.
Brain
illustration
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Primary brain tumor - illustration
A primary brain tumor is a mass created by the growth or uncontrolled proliferation of cells in the brain.
Primary brain tumor
illustration
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Brain tumors - primary
(In-Depth)
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Brain cancer
(Alt. Medicine)
Review Date: 9/4/2015
Reviewed By: Adam S. Levy, MD, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
