Pediatric Brain Tumors – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Pediatric brain tumors are cell growths that begin in or around the brain in children. These tumors can expand and press against nearby brain regions, triggering symptoms like headaches and nausea.
Children can develop various types of brain tumors. Some grow rapidly while others develop slowly. These tumors may be cancerous or noncancerous (benign).
The treatment approach depends on several key factors:
- Tumor type
- Location within the brain
- Whether the tumor has spread
- Child’s age and overall health condition
Brain tumor treatments for children differ significantly from adult treatments. Parents should seek care at medical centers with specific expertise in treating pediatric brain tumors.
Healthcare teams with specialized training in childhood brain tumors can create the most effective treatment plans. These specialists understand the unique challenges of treating brain tumors in developing brains.
Types
Brain tumors come in several forms, each affecting different parts of the brain. Common types include:
- Glioma: Develops from glial cells that support nerve cells.
- Medulloblastoma: Most often found in children, usually in the cerebellum.
- Ependymoma: Forms in the lining of ventricles or the spinal cord.
- Craniopharyngioma: Typically occurs near the pituitary gland.
- Choroid Plexus Carcinoma: Rare tumor that forms in tissue producing cerebrospinal fluid.
- Embryonal Tumors: Develop from early forms of brain cells.
- Pineoblastoma: Aggressive tumor that forms in the pineal gland.
These tumor types vary in growth rate, treatment approach, and typical age of onset. Brain imaging and tissue samples help doctors identify which type is present.
Signs to Watch For
If you notice worrying symptoms in your child, don’t wait to seek help. Make an appointment with your child’s doctor right away if you see any concerning changes in their behavior, physical abilities, or overall health.
Common symptoms include:
- Headaches that become worse or more frequent
- Nausea and vomiting
- Vision problems like seeing double or squinting
Parents might notice these signs in children who can’t yet talk:
- Unusual irritability
- Covering one eye when looking at things
- Changes in behavior
Other possible warning signs include:
| Physical Signs | Behavioral Changes | Other Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Fuller soft spot on baby’s skull | Confusion | Memory problems |
| Changes in eye movement | Irritability | Seizures |
| Balance problems | Personality changes | Slurred speech |
| Trouble walking | Hearing problems | |
| Weakness on one side of face | Trouble swallowing | |
| Weakness in arm or leg | Loss of sensation |
Trust your instincts as a parent. Many of these symptoms can also be caused by less serious conditions, but it’s always better to have your child checked by a healthcare professional if you’re concerned.
Causes
Brain tumors in children often develop without a clear reason. They begin when brain cells experience DNA changes that alter normal cell behavior.
DNA serves as a blueprint for cells, telling them when to grow, multiply, and die. In tumor cells, DNA changes disrupt these normal instructions. The altered cells multiply rapidly and don’t die when they should, leading to an excess of cells.
This cell buildup can form a mass (tumor) that puts pressure on surrounding brain tissue. The growing tumor may cause swelling and affect nearby healthy brain areas.
Some tumors develop additional DNA changes that transform them into cancer cells. These cells can:
- Invade healthy brain tissue
- Destroy normal cells
- Sometimes break away from the original site
When brain cancer spreads, it typically moves into the cerebrospinal fluidโthe liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This allows cancer cells to travel to other areas of the central nervous system.
Most pediatric brain tumors have no known external cause or preventable risk factors. Research continues to explore why these DNA changes occur in some children but not others.
Risk Factors
Young Children at Higher Risk
Brain tumors can affect children of all ages. However, these tumors appear more frequently in children under 5 years old. This doesn’t mean older children can’t develop brain tumors, but younger children tend to have a higher risk.
Radiation Exposure
Children who have had radiation therapy to their head face an increased risk of developing brain tumors.
For instance, a child who receives radiation treatment for one type of brain tumor might later develop a different type of brain tumor as a result of the radiation exposure.
Compromised Immune Function
Children with weakened immune systems may have a higher chance of developing brain tumors. This includes children taking medications that suppress their immune system after organ transplants.
Certain health conditions like HIV infection can also weaken the immune system and potentially increase brain tumor risk.
Inherited Genetic Conditions
Several genetic syndromes that pass through families can raise a child’s risk for brain tumors. These include:
- Neurofibromatosis 1 and 2
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Gorlin syndrome
- Turcot syndrome
- Cowden syndrome
Doctors can test your child’s DNA to check for these genetic conditions. If your family has a history of these syndromes, it’s important to discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Prevention
Brain tumors in children cannot be prevented. Parents should understand that these tumors are not caused by anything they did or failed to do. Nothing in a parent’s actions or choices leads to their child developing a brain tumor.
