Brain Tumors in Children

Abnormal growth of cells within the skull is known as brain tumor. Statistics show that the number of children suffering from brain tumors is increasing significantly as nearly 2000 children in the US are diagnosed with a brain tumor each year. Brain tumors being the second-leading cause of cancer death in children under age 15, it is necessary for the parents to know about the symptoms and types of brain tumors in children. Sometimes tumors in other parts of the body spread to brain. Tumors that originate in the brain are referred to as primary brain tumors and they may occur at any age. Exact cause of brain tumor is unknown.

Brain Tumors in Children

Types
The main types of brain tumors are benign (not cancerous), invasive (spread to nearby areas), those confined to only a small area and malignant (cancerous). Brain tumor types are also determined according to the exact location of the tumor, the type of tissue involved, and whether or not it is cancerous. Most common childhood brain tumors are:

• Astrocytomas: These are noncancerous, slow-growing cysts which usually develop in children aged 5 - 8. Surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy and radiation are the treatment options available. Slow growing tumors may receive radiation only.
• Brain stem gliomas: Brain stem refers to the lowest part of the brain, that is adjacent to the spinal cord. This part of the brain governs vital automatic functions, like heart rate and breathing and several aspects of our basic senses, such as sight, hearing and movements, including walking and eating. These tumors are generally seen only in children, and development of these tumors is usually noticed in about 6 year old children. Brain stem tumors in children can be asymptomatic in early stage and the tumor may grow very large before exhibiting symptoms. Brain stem is situated deep in the brain and since it controls vital functions, surgery cannot be performed. Chemotherapy and radiation are the brain tumor treatment options.
• Ependymomas: The lining of the ventricles is known as ependyma and tumors originating in the cells lining the ventricles and central canal inside the spinal cord are called ependymomas. They are more common in children less than 3 years of age but when compared to other tumor types, ependymomas are considered as one of the rare brain tumors in children. These tumors grow slowly but obstruction of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by them results in complications. Tumors located at different locations may exhibit different type of symptoms. CT scan or MRI help find out the exact location. Any of the three common options such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy can be chosen depending upon the situation.
• Medulloblastomas: In children, brain tumors called medudulloblastomas are the cause behind the most common type of brain cancer. The tumor generally develops in the lower back part of the brain called the cerebellum which controls body movement, balance, posture and coordination. Occurrence of these tumors is more common in boys than girls, usually around age 5. It has been observed that medulloblastomas mostly occur before the age of 10. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the commonly followed methods for treating these tumors.
• Germ cell tumors: These tumors spring up from sex cells that end up in the brain. These tumors are found in the center of the brain. Germ cells are present in the child's body from the very beginning, when it starts growing in the mother's womb as a fetus. These cells normally are supposed to develop into cells in the testicles or ovaries. But sometimes they are found in other parts of the developing body, including the brain. Surgery and radiation, with or without chemotherapy, are the treatment options.

Symptoms

Brain tumor symptoms in children include:

• Brain tumor headaches that occur even while sleeping accompanied with vomiting or confusion.
• Double vision, weakness, or numbness.
• Worsening of the headache while waking up in the morning, while coughing or exercising, or while changing the body position.
• Memory loss, seizures, lack of concentration, increased sleep, confusion, hearing loss, with or without dizziness, difficulty while speaking, gradual loss of movement or sensation in an arm or leg, losing balance of the body, unexpected vision problem are some other symptoms of brain tumor in children.

Survival Rate

The five year brain tumor survival rate for children and teenagers is around 65% according to the available statistics. Studies show that more than 50% of the people aged between fifteen and forty five survive this disease for a considerable period of time. Parents should not lose hope after detection of brain tumors in young children.

In children, brain tumor can destroy brain cells and can also damage brain cells by creating pressure on other parts of the brain. This results in swelling and increased pressure within the skull. In spite of all these difficulties, long term results are becoming more and more common. There are examples of some children surviving fifty years and beyond. Thanks to the scientists, doctors and researchers! Improved chemotherapy and surgical techniques play an important role in increasing the life span of children with brain tumor. Difficult tumors in brain are treated more efficiently than ever before. Therefore parents should never lose hope.