Brain Tumors in Children

Brain tumors are the second most common cancer during childhood—second only to leukemia—and the most common variety of solid tumors in children. According to the Mayo Clinic, in the United States, 2,000 children (under age 16) are diagnosed with a brain tumor each year.

Childhood Brain Tumors

The majority of pediatric brain tumors are classified as primary tumors, or tumors that begin in the brain. Although primary tumors usually don't spread beyond the spinal cord and brain, they can cause significant side effects when the mass presses on vital tissues and structures in the brain.
Gliomas, brain tumors originating in the supportive glial cells, account for half of all childhood brain tumors. Other common types of pediatric brain tumors include:
  • Medulloblastomas: These account for 20 percent of all childhood brain tumors. Medulloblastomas originate in the cerebellum and are the most common type of malignant pediatric brain tumors. They affect boys more often than girls, mostly from ages 2 to 7.
  • Brain stem gliomas: These account for 10 to 15 percent of all childhood brain tumors. Brain stem gliomas usually affect children between 5 and 10 years old. Surgery is usually not an option due to the location of the tumor; treatment plans usually include radiation and chemotherapy.
  • Cerebellar astrocytomas: These comprise 15 to 20 percent of pediatric brain tumors. These astrocytomas are benign tumors arising from the glial cells in the cerebellum, and they affect children and adolescents of all ages.
  • Ependymomas: Ependymomas represent 8 to 10 percent of pediatric brain tumors. These gliomas occur at any age during childhood and begin in the cells lining the cerebral ventricles.

Brain Tumor Treatment in Children

With respect to treatment for brain tumors, children often have the same options as adults. However, the child's age is very important in determining which combination and series of procedures will be used. As with adult tumors, the type of treatment also depends on the type and location of the tumor and the health of the patient. Brain tumor treatment options include:
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery.
Because a child's brain is still developing and growing, radiation is not generally an optimal treatment for children. During radiation therapy, high energy rays directed from a large machine target and kill tumor cells. The child must sit absolutely still for these treatments or be placed in a metal frame to hold the head in place. Both healthy and tumor cells are affected, which can lead to learning, developmental and memory problems after treatment. Neuro-oncologists are conducting experimental clinical trials to find different procedures that will either help to decrease or delay radiation therapy.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hypersomnia: An Overview

Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by sleeping too much, experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness or a combination of the two. Hypersomnia is not the same as feeling tired due to poor quality sleep or not getting enough sleep. Often, people with hypersomnia fall asleep suddenly throughout the day, a symptom the condition shares with narcolepsy. Symptoms of Hypersomnia Symptoms of hypersomnia often develop in adolescence or early adulthood. People with hypersomnia may sleep for up to 12 hours at a time, but still wake up feeling tired. Individuals may struggle to wake up after deep sleep and seem disoriented and confused. Hypersomnia often develops gradually, making it difficult for people to realize they are sleeping too much. Signs associated with hypersomnia include: Anxiety Headaches Irritation Loss of appetite Low energy levels Memory problems "Nap attacks" during the day Restlessness Sleeping too much Slow speech Slow thought proce...
Keep reading

Irritable Bowel Disease Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a very common disorder that affects the functioning of the bowel. Although the severity of the condition (also occasionally called  spastic colon ) can vary considerably from one patient to another, typical characteristics include changes in bowel habits ranging from diarrhea to constipation, cramp-like pains, bloating and a feeling of "gassiness." For some sufferers, IBS is little more than a minor inconvenience; for others it can be totally disabling. In extreme cases, the patient is unable to travel, function in the workplace or enjoy socializing. Common Misconceptions Irritable bowel syndrome is not . . . an imaginary disease.  IBS has biological causes and biological symptoms and is certainly not a condition that is "all in your mind. " caused by other diseases  such as gallstones or ulcers. an infection , although it can sometimes be triggered by a bout of gastroenteritis or similar digestive system disorders. hereditary . a precursor to c...
Keep reading

Gastrointestinal Defects

Birth defects, also known as "congenital abnormalities," are structural defects in some part or system of the body that can affect the body's function. These congenital defects occur during fetal development, and are present in a baby from birth. Like other complex body systems, the gastrointestinal system (or digestive system), responsible for digestion and extracting nutrients from food, is vulnerable to congenital defects during its development. Healthy Gastrointestinal Tract Function The gastrointestinal system is made up of several organs, including the: Mouth Esophagus Stomach Small intestine: Duodenum, jejunum and ileum Large intestine: Cecum, colon, rectum and anus. In healthy people, food enters the mouth, and is chewed and swallowed, passing through the esophagus to the stomach. The stomach breaks down the food, then passes it into the intestines, where it is digested further, and particles from the food can be absorbed. Waste is stored in the r...
Keep reading