What is Pediatric Brain Tumor? Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

A pediatric brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells that develops in a child's brain or the tissues surrounding it. These tumors can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), and they're the most common solid tumors in children.

While hearing "brain tumor" can feel overwhelming, it's important to know that many childhood brain tumors are treatable. Medical advances have significantly improved outcomes for children with these conditions. Understanding what you're dealing with can help you feel more prepared and confident as you navigate this journey.

What are the symptoms of pediatric brain tumor?

Brain tumor symptoms in children often develop gradually and can be easy to mistake for common childhood issues at first. The symptoms depend largely on where the tumor is located and how big it has grown.

Early symptoms often relate to increased pressure inside the skull. You might notice your child experiencing persistent headaches that seem different from typical headaches. These headaches often get worse in the morning or wake your child from sleep.

Here are the most common symptoms to watch for:

• Frequent vomiting, especially in the morning or without feeling sick to the stomach first
• Changes in vision, such as double vision, blurred vision, or loss of peripheral vision
• Balance problems, difficulty walking, or frequent falls
• Unusual sleepiness or significant changes in energy levels
• Personality changes or shifts in behavior that seem out of character
• Difficulty with speech or understanding words
• Seizures, especially if your child has never had them before
• Problems with coordination or fine motor skills

In babies and toddlers, symptoms can look different. You might notice a rapidly growing head size, bulging soft spots on the head, or unusual irritability that doesn't seem to have an obvious cause.

Some children may also experience learning difficulties, memory problems, or trouble concentrating at school. These cognitive changes can be subtle at first but may become more noticeable over time.

What are the types of pediatric brain tumor?

Childhood brain tumors are classified into several types based on where they develop and what kind of cells they contain. Understanding the type helps doctors plan the most effective treatment approach.

The most common types include medulloepithelioma, which develops in the cerebellum and affects balance and coordination. Brainstem gliomas grow in the brainstem, which controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate.

Here are the main categories of pediatric brain tumors:

• Astrocytomas - These grow from star-shaped brain cells and can range from slow-growing to aggressive
• Medulloepitheliomas - The most common malignant brain tumor in children, typically found in the cerebellum
• Ependymomas - These develop from cells that line the brain's fluid-filled spaces
• Brainstem gliomas - Tumors that grow in the brainstem, affecting critical body functions
• Craniopharyngiomas - Usually benign tumors that develop near the pituitary gland
• Germ cell tumors - Rare tumors that typically occur in the center of the brain

Some tumors are considered low-grade, meaning they grow slowly and are less likely to spread. High-grade tumors grow more quickly and require more intensive treatment. Your medical team will explain exactly what type your child has and what this means for their specific situation.

What causes pediatric brain tumor?

The exact cause of most childhood brain tumors remains unknown, which can be frustrating for parents seeking answers. Unlike many adult cancers, childhood brain tumors typically aren't linked to lifestyle factors or environmental exposures.

Most pediatric brain tumors appear to develop due to random genetic changes that occur as cells grow and divide. These changes aren't inherited from parents - they just happen spontaneously during normal cell development.

A small percentage of childhood brain tumors are associated with inherited genetic conditions. These include neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis. If your child has one of these conditions, your doctor will discuss increased monitoring and prevention strategies.

Previous radiation exposure to the head, such as from treatment for another cancer, can increase brain tumor risk. However, this accounts for very few cases overall. Most children who develop brain tumors have no known risk factors at all.

It's crucial to understand that nothing you did or didn't do caused your child's brain tumor. Parents often blame themselves, but childhood brain tumors develop due to factors completely beyond anyone's control.

When to see a doctor for pediatric brain tumor?

You should contact your child's doctor if you notice persistent symptoms that concern you, especially if they're getting worse over time. Trust your instincts as a parent - you know your child better than anyone.

Schedule an appointment if your child experiences ongoing headaches that are different from any they've had before. Pay particular attention to headaches that wake them from sleep or are worse in the morning.

Seek medical attention promptly if you notice:

• Repeated vomiting without other signs of illness
• Vision changes or complaints about seeing double
• Sudden changes in balance or coordination
• Significant personality or behavior changes
• New onset of seizures
• Unusual drowsiness or confusion

For babies, contact your pediatrician if you notice rapid head growth, bulging soft spots, or persistent crying that seems different from normal fussiness.

Remember that many of these symptoms can have other, less serious causes. However, it's always better to have concerning symptoms evaluated sooner rather than later. Early detection often leads to better treatment outcomes.

What are the risk factors for pediatric brain tumor?

Unlike many adult cancers, childhood brain tumors don't have many identifiable risk factors. Most children who develop these tumors have no known risk factors at all.

Age plays a role, with certain types being more common at specific ages. Brain tumors can occur at any age during childhood, but some types are more frequent in younger children while others appear more often in teenagers.

The main risk factors include:

• Inherited genetic syndromes like neurofibromatosis or Li-Fraumeni syndrome
• Previous radiation treatment to the head or brain
• Having a compromised immune system
• Family history of certain genetic conditions

Gender can influence risk slightly. Some types of brain tumors are more common in boys, while others occur more frequently in girls. However, these differences are generally small.

It's important to know that having a risk factor doesn't mean your child will develop a brain tumor. Many children with risk factors never develop tumors, while most children who do develop tumors have no identifiable risk factors.

What are the possible complications of pediatric brain tumor?

Complications from pediatric brain tumors can arise from the tumor itself, its location, or from treatments used to address it. Understanding potential complications helps families prepare and work with their medical team to minimize risks.

The brain controls many vital functions, so tumors can affect different abilities depending on their location. Some children may experience motor problems, affecting their ability to move or coordinate movements smoothly.

Common complications may include:

• Cognitive changes, including problems with memory, attention, or learning
• Motor difficulties affecting movement, balance, or coordination
• Speech and language problems
• Vision or hearing changes
• Hormonal imbalances if the tumor affects the pituitary gland
• Seizures that may continue even after treatment
• Hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain)

Treatment-related complications can include fatigue, hair loss from radiation, and potential long-term effects on growth and development. Some children may experience changes in their ability to learn new information or process it as quickly as before.

Many complications can be managed or improved with supportive therapies like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy. Your medical team will monitor for complications and provide appropriate interventions to help your child maintain the best possible quality of life.

How can pediatric brain tumor be prevented?

Unfortunately, there's no known way to prevent most childhood brain tumors. Since the majority develop due to random genetic changes that occur naturally, prevention strategies that work for other diseases don't apply here.

This lack of prevention options can feel helpless for parents, but it's important to focus on what you can control. Maintaining your child's overall health through good nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep supports their body's ability to handle whatever challenges arise.

For children with known genetic syndromes that increase brain tumor risk, regular monitoring and screening may help detect tumors early when they're most treatable. Your doctor will recommend an appropriate surveillance schedule if this applies to your child.

Avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure is wise, though the radiation doses from routine medical imaging like CT scans are generally very low and the benefits usually outweigh the risks when medically necessary.

How is pediatric brain tumor diagnosed?

Diagnosing a pediatric brain tumor typically begins with your child's doctor taking a detailed medical history and performing a thorough physical examination. They'll ask about symptoms, when they started, and how they've changed over time.

The neurological examination checks your child's reflexes, muscle strength, coordination, and mental function. This helps doctors understand which parts of the brain might be affected and guides further testing decisions.

Imaging tests provide detailed pictures of your child's brain. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is usually the first and most important test because it shows soft tissues like the brain very clearly. This scan can reveal the tumor's location, size, and relationship to surrounding brain structures.

Additional tests might include a CT scan, which takes X-ray images from different angles to create cross-sectional pictures of the brain. Sometimes doctors order specialized MRI scans with contrast dye to get even clearer images of the tumor.

If imaging suggests a brain tumor, a biopsy may be needed to determine exactly what type it is. During this procedure, a small sample of tumor tissue is removed and examined under a microscope. Sometimes the biopsy can be done at the same time as surgery to remove the tumor.

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) might be recommended to check if tumor cells have spread into the spinal fluid. This involves inserting a thin needle into the lower back to collect a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid for testing.

What is the treatment for pediatric brain tumor?

Treatment for pediatric brain tumors depends on several factors including the tumor type, location, size, and your child's age and overall health. The goal is always to provide the most effective treatment while minimizing long-term side effects.

Surgery is often the first treatment step when possible. The neurosurgeon will try to remove as much of the tumor as safely possible while preserving normal brain function. Sometimes complete removal isn't possible due to the tumor's location near critical brain areas.

Treatment options typically include:

• Surgery to remove all or part of the tumor
• Radiation therapy using high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells
• Chemotherapy with medications that target cancer cells
• Targeted therapy drugs designed for specific tumor types
• Immunotherapy to help the immune system fight the tumor
• Clinical trials offering access to newer treatments

Many children receive combination therapy, such as surgery followed by chemotherapy or radiation. The treatment team will create a personalized plan based on your child's specific situation.

Treatment is usually provided by a pediatric oncology team that includes specialists in childhood cancer, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and supportive care. This team approach ensures your child receives comprehensive, coordinated care throughout their treatment journey.

How to provide home care during pediatric brain tumor treatment?

Caring for a child with a brain tumor at home involves managing treatment side effects, maintaining nutrition, and providing emotional support. Your medical team will give you specific instructions, but some general principles can help guide your approach.

Managing symptoms and side effects becomes a daily priority. Keep track of your child's symptoms, medications, and any changes you notice. This information helps the medical team adjust treatment as needed.

Nutrition can be challenging when your child doesn't feel well. Offer small, frequent meals and focus on foods they can tolerate. Stay in close contact with a pediatric dietitian who can suggest strategies for maintaining adequate nutrition during treatment.

Key home care strategies include:

• Following medication schedules exactly as prescribed
• Monitoring for signs of infection like fever or unusual fatigue
• Ensuring adequate rest and sleep
• Maintaining gentle physical activity as tolerated
• Providing emotional support and normalcy when possible
• Keeping detailed records of symptoms and side effects

Don't hesitate to contact your medical team with questions or concerns. They're there to support you and would rather hear from you about small concerns than have you wait until problems become serious.

Consider connecting with other families who have experience with childhood brain tumors. Support groups, either in person or online, can provide practical advice and emotional support from people who truly understand what you're going through.

How should you prepare for your doctor appointment?

Preparing for medical appointments helps you make the most of your time with the doctor and ensures important information doesn't get overlooked. Bring a list of all your child's symptoms, including when they started and how they've changed.

Write down your questions beforehand because it's easy to forget important things when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Don't worry about having too many questions - your medical team expects and welcomes them.

Bring a complete list of all medications your child takes, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Also bring any previous medical records, imaging results, or test reports from other doctors.

Consider bringing a trusted friend or family member to appointments. They can help you remember information discussed and provide emotional support. Many families find it helpful to have someone take notes during important conversations.

Prepare your child age-appropriately for the visit. Explain in simple terms what will happen and why the visit is important. Bring comfort items like a favorite toy or book to help them feel more secure.

What's the key takeaway about pediatric brain tumor?

The most important thing to remember is that pediatric brain tumors, while serious, are often treatable with today's medical advances. Many children go on to live full, healthy lives after treatment.

Early recognition of symptoms and prompt medical attention can make a significant difference in outcomes. Trust your instincts as a parent and don't hesitate to seek medical evaluation for persistent or concerning symptoms.

Treatment for childhood brain tumors has improved dramatically over the past few decades. Survival rates have increased, and doctors have become much better at minimizing long-term side effects while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Remember that you're not alone in this journey. Your medical team, family, friends, and support organizations are all there to help you navigate this challenging time. Focus on taking things one day at a time and celebrating small victories along the way.