Catholic University Catholic Hematology Hospital

Overview

Brain tumors are masses of abnormal cells that grow in or around the brain. This includes growths in the spinal cord, which is attached to the brain, and tumors from nerves that come from the brain or spinal cord. In children, these brain tumors are the second most common type of solid cancer, just after leukemia. They can develop at any age and are less commonly spread from other parts of the body in kids than in adults. Brain tumors are categorized as either malignant, which are cancerous and can grow quickly, or benign, which are non-cancerous and grow slowly. Even though benign tumors are less likely to come back after treatment, they can still cause problems by pressing on delicate parts of the brain.

There's a variety of primary brain tumors that can affect children, such as astrocytomas, which start in the brain cells that support nerve cells, and brain stem gliomas, which grow in the lower part of the brain. Other types include ependymoblastomas, oligodendrogliomas, medulloblastomas, which are common in the cerebellum (the lower, back part of the brain), meningiomas, which develop in the lining around the brain and spinal cord, schwannomas from nerve coverings, craniopharyngiomas near the pituitary gland, and germ cell tumors.

Causes and Symptoms

Brain tumors in young people are often different from those in adults, which means they need their own special treatment plans.

We're not really sure what causes these tumors, but sometimes things like family history or being around too much radiation might have something to do with it. The symptoms vary a lot and depend on where exactly the tumor is in the brain, what kind it is, and how quickly it's growing. The main thing causing symptoms is that the tumor takes up space in the skull, which isn't supposed to happen, and that puts pressure on the brain. This can lead to: Headaches that can be really bad. Seeing double, which is called diplopia. Seizures, which are sudden bursts of uncontrolled activity in the brain. Feeling nauseous and throwing up. Not being able to feel or move your arms and legs properly. Vision getting worse or changing. Not being able to remember things like you used to. These symptoms are clues for doctors to figure out the best way to tackle the tumor and help the child get better.

Treatment

When it comes to treating brain tumors in children, the approach is personalized based on the specific characteristics of the tumor, such as its shape, where it's located, an how big it is. The child's age and general health before starting treatment are also important factors. The treatment plan may involve:
Surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible while keeping important brain functions intact. Radiation therapy to target and destroy cancer cells using high-energy beams. Chemotherapy, which uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Each of these treatments comes with its own benefits and risks, and the care team at institutions works closely with patients and families to determine the most effective and least invasive treatment strategy.