Description
What is childhood brain tumor?
What is childhood brain tumor?
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) or malignant (contains 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.
This PDQ treatment information summary refers only to tumors that originate in
the brain (primary brain tumors). Metastatic brain tumors, which are secondary
tumors formed by cancer cells that begin in other parts of the body and spread
to the brain, are not included. Brain tumors can occur in both children and
adults; however, treatment may be different for adults than for children.
(Refer to the PDQ summary on Adult Brain Tumor Treatment for more information.)
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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