You can also connect with other caregivers or cancer survivors online. Also be aware that it's common for siblings to feel neglected, jealous, and angry when a child is seriously ill. Explain as much as they can understand, and enlist family members, teachers, and friends to help keep some sense of normalcy for them.
And finally, as hard as it may be, try to take care of yourself. Parents who get the support they need are better able to support their child.
Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. Types of Brain Tumors There are many different types of brain tumors. Tumors are grouped into these categories:. Low-grade vs. High-grade tumors can invade nearby tissue or spread to other areas in the body metastasize , and they are more likely to come back after treatment to remove them. High-grade tumors are generally associated with a poorer outlook.
Localized vs. An invasive tumor has spread to surrounding areas and is more difficult or impossible to remove completely. Primary vs. Secondary brain tumors are made up of cells that have metastasized to the brain from somewhere else in the body. In children, most brain tumors are primary. In children, some of the most common types of primary brain tumors are: Astrocytomas.
These form from star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. They can be cancerous and low-grade more common in children or high-grade more common in adults. Ependymomas are cancerous tumors that form from part of the central nervous system called the ependyma. They also can be low-grade or high-grade. Brainstem gliomas form in the tissue of the brainstem, the part of the brain that connects to the spine.
They can be cancerous and are typically high-grade and fast-growing. Medulloblastomas or primitive neuroectodermal tumors PNETs are cancerous, high-grade tumors that start in the posterior fossa, a part of the brain near the base of the skull.
Craniopharyngiomas are non-cancerous tumors that form at the base of the brain near the pituitary gland. Germ cell tumors usually form in the testes or ovaries but can also form in the brain and central nervous system. They can be cancerous. Pontine gliomas are cancerous, high-grade tumors that form in a part of the brainstem called the pons. Optic nerve gliomas form in or around the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.
Most optic nerve gliomas are noncancerous and slow-growing. Signs and Symptoms A brain tumor can cause symptoms by directly pressing on the surrounding parts of the brain that control certain body functions, or by causing a buildup of spinal fluid and pressure throughout the brain a condition known as hydrocephalus.
Signs or symptoms vary depending on a child's age and the location of the tumor, but may include: vomiting seizures weakness of the face, trunk, arms, or legs slurred speech difficulty standing or walking poor coordination headache in babies and young toddlers, a rapidly enlarging head Because symptoms might develop gradually and can be like those of other common childhood conditions, brain tumors can be difficult to diagnose.
Diagnosis A doctor who thinks a child might have a brain tumor will do a thorough neurological exam and order imaging studies of the brain: a CT computed tomography scan , MRI magnetic resonance imaging , or possibly both. Caring for a child with a brain tumor is very complicated and requires close coordination between members of the medical team, which typically will include: a pediatric neuro-oncologist a doctor who specializes in treating cancers of the brain or spine a pediatric neurologist a doctor who specializes in disorders of the nervous system a pediatric neurosurgeon a surgeon who operates on the brain or spine a pediatric radiation therapist a specialist who administers radiation therapy pediatric rehabilitation medicine specialists, including speech, physical, and occupational therapists pediatric psychologists and social workers These experts will choose a child's therapy very carefully.
Another line of defense may be the body's immune system, which optimally would detect the abnormal cell and kill it. Tumors may produce substances that block the immune system from recognizing the abnormal tumor cells and eventually overpower all internal and external deterrents to its growth. A rapidly growing tumor may need more oxygen and nutrients than can be provided by the local blood supply intended for normal tissue.
Tumors can produce substances called angiogenesis factors that promote the growth of blood vessels. The new vessels that grow increase the supply of nutrients to the tumor, and, eventually, the tumor becomes dependent on these new vessels.
Research is being done in this area, but more extensive research is necessary to translate this knowledge into potential therapies. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the brain tumor, but the following may accompany different types of brain tumors:. Sophisticated imaging techniques can pinpoint brain tumors. Other MRI sequences can help the surgeon plan the resection of the tumor based on the location of the normal nerve pathways of the brain.
Intraoperative MRI also is used during surgery to guide tissue biopsies and tumor removal. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy MRS is used to examine the tumor's chemical profile and determine the nature of the lesions seen on the MRI. Positron emission tomography PET scan can help detect recurring brain tumors. Sometimes the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of a brain tumor is through a biopsy.
The neurosurgeon performs the biopsy and the pathologist makes the final diagnosis, determining whether the tumor appears benign or malignant, and grading it accordingly. While it is true that radiation and chemotherapy are used more often for malignant, residual or recurrent tumors, decisions as to what treatment to use are made on a case-by-case basis and depend on a number of factors.
There are risks and side effects associated with each type of therapy. It is generally accepted that complete or nearly complete surgical removal of a brain tumor is beneficial for a patient. The neurosurgeon's challenge is to remove as much tumor as possible, without injuring brain tissue important to the patient's neurological function such as the ability to speak, walk, etc.
Traditionally, neurosurgeons open the skull through a craniotomy to insure they can access the tumor and remove as much of it as possible. A drain EVD may be left in the brain fluid cavities at the time of surgery to drain the normal brain fluid as the brain recovers from the surgery. Another procedure that is commonly performed, sometimes before a craniotomy, is called a stereotactic biopsy. This smaller operation allows doctors to obtain tissue in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
Usually, a frame is attached to the patient's head, a scan is obtained, and then the patient is taken to the operating area, where a small hole is drilled in the skull to allow access to the abnormal area. Based on the location of the lesion, some hospitals may do this same procedure without the use of a frame. A small sample is obtained for examination under the microscope. In the early s, computerized devices called surgical navigation systems were introduced.
These systems assisted the neurosurgeon with guidance, localization and orientation for tumors. This information reduced the risks and improved the extent of tumor removal. In many cases, surgical navigation systems allowed previously inoperable tumors to be excised with acceptable risks.
Some of these systems also can be used for biopsies without having to attach a frame to the skull. One limitation of these systems is that they utilize a scan CT or MRI obtained prior to surgery to guide the neurosurgeon. Thus, they cannot account for movements of the brain that may occur intraoperatively. Investigators are developing techniques using ultrasound and performing surgery in MRI scanners to help update the navigation system data during surgery.
Intraoperative language mapping is considered by some as a critically important technique for patients with tumors affecting language function, such as large, dominant-hemisphere gliomas. This procedure involves operating on a conscious patient and mapping the anatomy of their language function during the operation. The doctor then decides which portions of the tumor are safe to resect. Recent studies have determined that cortical language mapping may be used as a safe and efficient adjunct to optimize glioma resection while preserving essential language sites.
Ventriculoperitoneal shunting may be required for some patients with brain tumors. Inability to look upward can be caused by a pineal gland tumor. Types of Cancer. Brain Tumor Guide. Net Guide Brain Tumor. Medical Illustrations. Risk Factors. Symptoms and Signs. Grades and Prognostic Factors. Types of Treatment. About Clinical Trials. Latest Research. Coping with Treatment. Follow-Up Care.
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