Childhood Brain Tumors

Summary

Brain tumors are abnormal growths inside the skull. They are among the most common types of childhood cancers. Some are benign tumors, which aren’t cancer. They can still be serious. Malignant tumors are cancerous.

Childhood brain and spinal cord tumors can cause headaches and other symptoms. However, other conditions can also cause the same symptoms. Check with a doctor if your child has any of the following problems:

• Morning headache or headache that goes away after vomiting
• Frequent nausea and vomiting
• Vision, hearing, and speech problems
• Loss of balance or trouble walking
• Unusual sleepiness
• Personality changes
• Seizures
• Increased head size in infants

The symptoms are not the same in every child.

Doctors use physical and neurological exams, lab tests, and imaging to diagnose brain tumors. Most childhood brain tumors are diagnosed and removed in surgery.

Treatment for children is sometimes different than for an adult. Long-term side effects are an important issue. The options also depend on the type of tumor and where it is. Removal of the tumor is often possible. If not, radiation, chemotherapy, or both may be used.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

National Cancer Institute

Encyclopedia

• After chemotherapy – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Brain surgery – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Eating extra calories when you are sick – children Medical Encyclopedia
• Head MRI Medical Encyclopedia
• Stereotactic radiosurgery – discharge Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
• Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology
• National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
• NCI Designated Cancer Centers National Cancer Institute

Patient Handouts

• Brain surgery Medical Encyclopedia
• Brain tumor – children Medical Encyclopedia

Statistics and Research

• Cancer in Children and Adolescents National Cancer Institute

Treatments and Therapies

• Childhood Astrocytomas Treatment National Cancer Institute
• Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment Overview National Cancer Institute
• Childhood Central Nervous System Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor Treatment National Cancer Institute
• Childhood Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors Treatment National Cancer Institute
• Childhood Ependymoma Treatment National Cancer Institute
• Treatment Option Overview (Childhood Brain Stem Glioma) National Cancer Institute
• Treatment Option Overview (Childhood Craniopharyngioma) National Cancer Institute
• Treatment Option Overview (Childhood Medulloblastoma and Other Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors) National Cancer Institute

Living With

• Children with Cancer: A Guide for Parents National Cancer Institute
• Support for Families when a Child Has Cancer National Cancer Institute

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Childhood Brain Tumors National Institutes of Health

Images

• Craniotomy – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia

Reference Desk

• Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute

Start Here

• General Information about Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors National Cancer Institute
• Pediatric Brain Tumors American Brain Tumor Association

Specifics

• General Information about Childhood Medulloblastoma and Other Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors National Cancer Institute
• Gliomas Nemours Foundation

Journal Articles

• Childhood Brain Tumors

Genetics

• Rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Risk Factors for Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children American Cancer Society

Diagnosis and Tests

• Tests for Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children American Cancer Society
• Ultrasound: Head (For Parents) Nemours Foundation