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Childhood Brain Tumors...
Childhood brain tumors are a diverse group of diseases characterized by the abnormal growth of tissue contained within the skull. Brain tumors can be benign (without cancer cells).
The brain controls vital
functions such as memory and learning, the senses (hearing, sight, smell,
taste, and touch), and emotion. It also controls other parts of the body,
including muscles, organs, and blood vessels.
Other than leukemia and lymphoma, brain tumors are the most common type of cancer
that occurs in children.
Brain tumors can occur in both children and adults; however, treatment may be
different for adults than for children.
If your child has symptoms that may be caused by a brain tumor, his or her doctor
may order a computed tomographic (CT) scan, a diagnostic test that uses computers
and x-rays to create pictures of the body. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
scan, a diagnostic test similar to a CT scan but which uses magnetic waves instead
of x-rays, may also be performed.
Often, surgery is required to determine whether a brain tumor exists and what
type of tumor it is. A small sample of tumor tissue may be surgically removed
and examined under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. Sometimes a biopsy
is done by making a small hole in the skull and using a needle to extract a sample
of the tumor.
There are many types of brain tumors that occur in children. Treatment and chance
of recovery (prognosis) depend on the type of tumor, its location within the
brain, the extent to which it has spread, and your child's age and general health.
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NOTE: This web site is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice. The information provided through this site should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider