Some tumor types are more common in children than in adults. The most common types of childhood tumors are brain stem gliomas, craniopharyngiomas, ependymomas, juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas, medulloblastomas, optic nerve gliomas, pineal tumors, primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET), and rhabdoid tumors. Symptoms can develop slowly and subtly and may go unnoticed for months. In other cases, the symptoms may arise abruptly.

Some of the general symptoms of brain tumors in children are headaches; vomiting (usually in the morning and without nausea); unsteadiness or loss of balance; seizures; double vision or vision problems; decreased coordination; fatigue or sleepiness; weakness on one side of the body; increased size of the head; uncontrolled eye movements; irritability; and behavioral changes. Symptoms are often vague in children, especially in very young children who are not able to fully describe their symptoms.

Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are most common in two age groups: children ages 3 to 12 and adults ages 40 to 70. According to the Central Brain Tumor Registry US, (1990-1994), approximately nine percent (1,831) of the total number of primary brain tumors occurred in children younger than 20. A total of 3,000 cases of benign and malignant tumors are found in children every year. These tumors are slightly more common in boys than girls.

The symptoms depend on the size of the tumor and the location. Symptoms are caused by damage to vital tissue and by pressure from the tumor or swelling, which may happen if the tumor blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

The causes of brain tumors are not known. Brain tumors are not contagious. They can occur at any age, although they are most common in children 3-12 years old and adults 40-70 years old. Risk factors include working in industries such as oil refining, rubber manufacturing and drug manufacturing; other studies show chemists and embalmers have higher incidence of brain tumors. Researchers also are looking at exposure to viruses as a possible cause.

There are primary and secondary brain tumors. Tumors that begin in brain tissue are known as primary tumors. Secondary tumors are when cancer spreads from another site to the brain, which is called metastasis. Brain tumors are classified by the type of tissue in which they begin. The most common brain tumors are gliomas. Astrocytomas arise from small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes. They may grow anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. In adults, astrocytomas most often arise in the cerebrum.

The doctor develops a treatment plan to fit each patient, depending on the patient’s age and general health and the type, location and size of the tumor. Brain tumors are treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Before treatment most patients are given steroids to reduce swelling. They may also be given anticonvulsant medications to prevent seizures. Surgery is the usual treatment for most brain tumors. To remove the tumor, the neurosurgeon makes an opening in the skull.

A brain tumor diagnosis usually involves several steps, which can include a neurological examination, brain scan(s) and/or a biopsy. Should a child’s symptoms lead the doctor to suspect a tumor, a neurological examination will be given. This is a series of tests to measure the function of the child’s nervous system and physical and mental alertness. If responses to the neurological exam are not normal, the doctor may order a scan.

The standard treatments for brain tumors are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In some cases when the tumor is slow growing, the treatment team may delay surgery and use frequent scans to monitor the tumor's growth. Sometimes surgery alone will cure a brain tumor. In general, radiation and chemotherapy treatments are used as secondary or adjuvant treatments for tumors that cannot be managed using only surgery.

You can visit our Link Library for other pediatric resources or post a message on the NBTF Message Boards. In addition, you can call NBTF or contact the agencies below for more information and referrals. For a free copy of A Resource Guide for Parents of Children with Brain or Spinal Cord Tumors available in English and Spanish (Guia de recursos para padres de niños con tumors cerebrales o de médula espinal), contact the Childrens Brain Tumor Foundation at 866.228.HOPE (866.228.

When most of us think of brain tumors, we probably don't think of children. But every year, more than 2,000 children are diagnosed with brain tumors in the U.S. alone, making them the second most common cancer in children. Not much is known about what causes pediatric brain tumors, and they are difficult to detect early, since the symptoms can be very subtle. Our panel of experts will discuss what we do know about brain tumors in children, and how they are diagnosed. Topics will include:

We don't know because funding for benign brain tumor research is virtually nonexistent. That's about to change. In October 2002, Congress passed the Benign Brain Tumor Cancer Registries Amendment Act, which will force hospitals, clinics and doctors to report pituitary tumor incidence rates in the data collection of cancer registries. The problem remains diagnosis. No report of incidence rates is possible without it.

Brain tumors are diagnosed through a combination of physical exam and diagnostic tests. A neurological exam assesses both a patient's physical condition?balance, sensory abilities, and muscle movement, for example?and his or her mental status. Next, images of the brain are captured by scanning techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). In some cases, a physician may order a cerebral angiography, which is an X-ray of the brain's blood vessels.

Cancers of all kinds are frightening illnesses, and the idea of a brain tumor seems especially threatening. So when parents face the news that their child has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, the impact can be tremendous. Fortunately, many pediatric brain tumors can be completely cured with modern surgical techniques and other treatments. Join our panel of experts as they discuss the current options from surgery to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Topics will include:

There are rare cases where brain tumors can occur in families and have a known genetic link. Most brain cancers, however, occur in patients with no known family history of brain cancer. We generally do not recommend screening family members for brain tumors.

Because brain cancers invade the normal brain, it is often very difficult to remove them completely. This is especially true with tumors of higher grade (grades III or IV). Usually, neurosurgeons attempt to remove as much of the tumor as is safely possible. When the tumor infiltrates into a critical brain area, it may not be possible to remove it completely.

That depends on the type and grade of tumor and the patient: Children and young adults generally tend to fare better than older patients, and women better than men. While the diagnosis of a brain tumor is serious, there is hope on several fronts. Of all primary tumors?those that originate in the brain?about half are benign and can be treated successfully.

There are many different types of doctors who treat brain tumors. An oncologist is a generic term for any doctor who treats cancer patients. There are many different kinds of oncologists. A medical oncologist is a doctor who specializes in treating cancer patients. Medical oncologists should be board certified in medical oncology. Because brain tumors are a rare form of cancer, most medical oncologists do not see many brain tumor patients.

Surgery is the primary form of treatment for brain tumors that lie within the membranes covering the brain or in parts of the brain that can be removed without damaging critical neurological functions. Because a tumor is likely to recur if any tumor cells are left behind, the goal of surgery is to remove the entire tumor whenever possible. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are generally used as secondary or adjuvant treatments for tumors that cannot be managed using only surgery.

Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. The studies are designed to determine the safety and side effects of new therapies, and the effectiveness of new and current treatments. Clinical trials usually undergo three phases before reaching completion. Each phase answers a question about the safety and effectiveness of the treatment being tested. Phase I trials test a treatment to determine a safe dosage and its side effects. Phase II trials test a treatment for its effectiveness.

Generally speaking, brain tumors can be categorized as benign (slow growing and noncancerous) and malignant (rapid growing and cancerous). Secondary tumors?those that originate in other parts of the body and then spread to the brain?are more common than primary tumors, which begin in the brain. Many types of brain tumors are named for the cells from which they grow or their location in the brain. Malignant brain tumors do not commonly occur. They make up only about 1.

As with any medication, you need to let your doctor know if you are on birth control, as there is always the potential for interaction. You may also want to speak to the ob/gyn or other doctor who prescribed the birth control. Some chemotherapies, such as vincristine, can cause a temporary end to menstruation and thus, may interact with birth control or make it unnecessary.

There are many different kinds of brain tumors, and names for brain tumors. These names will often reflect the location of the tumor, the kinds of cells in the tumor, and the tumors level of aggressiveness. Scientists use the appearance of the tumor cells under a microscope to determine the kind of tumor. Tumors are also given a grade indicating the degree of malignancy. Grade 1 tumors are the slow growers, and are often considered non-malignant or benign.

Unfortunately, the cause of brain tumors is unknown. Just as there are many kinds of brain tumors, there may be just as many causes. There is likely a combination of factors. One thing known for sure is that brain tumors are not contagious. About 5% of primary brain tumors can be associated with hereditary factors. The cause of the remaining 95% of brain tumors is studied by scientists the world over.