Brain tumors are a mass of abnormal cells that grow out of control in various sections of the brain and spinal cord. The brain and spinal cord are collectively called the central nervous system (CNS).

Overall, tumors of the central nervous system are very rare. However, they are the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children (after leukemia), according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Childhood brain tumors account for 17 percent of malignant childhood cancers. The number of children diagnosed with brain tumors has not changed significantly in recent years.

Most brain tumors in children are primary, meaning the cancer originated in the brain rather than spread to the brain from cancer elsewhere in the body. There are many types of brain tumors, which can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Although benign tumors are often not life threatening in other parts of the body, they can be serious when they occur in the brain. Brain tumors cause symptoms due to increased pressure on the brain and the inability of the tissues to expand in the rigid skull. Depending on which type of tissue is affected, various problems can develop with vital functions.

Brain tumors rarely spread outside the central nervous system but can spread within the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms vary depending on the type and location of the tumors, as well as any metastasis (spread).

Recurring headaches with or without nausea and vomiting, vision and hearing problems and loss of balance may indicate the presence of a brain tumor. However, these symptoms may be related to less serious medical conditions. Parents should consult with a physician if their child develops these symptoms to determine the cause.

The causes of brain tumors in children are not known. There is very little evidence of environmental or genetic relationship to the development of this type of cancer. However, a very small percentage of brain tumors are related to inherited factors. There is no way to screen for or prevent brain tumors in children, because their cause has not been identified. In addition, risk factors cannot be isolated for brain tumors. For these reasons, there is no known prevention for brain tumors in children.

Early diagnosis is crucial to a good outcome. A biopsy will confirm the presence of a tumor as well as the type and grade of the tumor. The major tests used to diagnose a brain tumor include various imaging tests and possibly lumbar puncture (collection of spinal column cerebral fluid).

A cancer care team ensures that all aspects of the child’s medical and surgical needs are considered in the treatment process. For brain tumors in a child, this team typically includes a pediatric medical oncologist (who specializes in cancer in children), a neurosurgeon and other healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat cancer. Standard treatment options are a combination of surgical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Treatment depends on the type and location of the cancer, the grade of the tumor and the general health of the child.

A child’s chance of survival with brain cancer varies greatly with the type and location of the brain tumor. More than half of the children diagnosed with brain tumors survive longer than five years, according to the ACS. This statistic includes all types of brain tumors and some forms have a better survival rate.