What Are Childhood Brain Tumors?
In the world, central nervous system tumors make up a portion of childhood cancers and are seen as the second most common type after leukemias. Although the development of diagnostic methods enables the diagnosis of more brain tumors, it is suggested that other reasons for the increase in incidence are environmental factors (preservatives in foods, electromagnetic fields).
Types Of Brain Tumors Seen In Childhood
- Astrocytoma: 40%
- Cerebellar astrocytoma: 10-20%
- Supratentorial Astrocytoma:
- PNET-Medulloblastoma:
- Ependymoma: 8-9%
- Brain stem gliomas: 10%
Symptoms Seen In Childhood Brain Tumors
- Severe headache (usually in the morning, relieved during the day)
- Vomiting
- Personality changes
- Decline in school performance
- Depression
- Difficulty walking and balance problems
- Seizures
- Visual or speech disorders
- Hormonal disorders
- Increase in head circumference
Medulloblastoma
These are primitive neuroectodermal brain tumors located in the posterior fossa region. They more commonly present with signs of increased intracranial pressure. The first step in treatment is surgery, and radiotherapy and chemotherapy must definitely be applied after surgery.
Astrocytomas
They are divided into low-grade (grade 1-2) and high-grade (grade 3-4). In low-grade astrocytomas, the main treatment is surgery. However, radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be applied in cases of recurrence, progressive disease, or functional impairment.
Optic Glioma
It constitutes 5% of childhood brain tumors. Visual impairment, double vision, drooping eyelid, papilledema, and optic atrophy are clinical symptoms. Since it may impair vision, biopsy or surgical intervention is generally not performed. It must definitely be treated in patients with hormonal or visual impairment. Today, chemotherapy is applied more frequently in order to avoid the side effects of radiotherapy.
Ependymoma
It is a glial-origin brain tumor. It most commonly originates from the 4th ventricle and becomes apparent with hydrocephalus. The main treatment is complete surgical removal of the tumor. Radiotherapy may be given according to the grade of the brain tumors.
Brain Stem Gliomas
They may be seen in diffuse or focal type. In most patients, diffuse type involvement is observed and surgical intervention is generally not possible. Diagnosis is generally made with brain MRI examination, but biopsy may be performed in suspicious cases. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are applied in treatment.
Although partial surgical treatment may be applied in focal brain stem tumors, radiotherapy is more commonly preferred.
