Ryan Lamantia Foundation

Dedicated to winning the fight against pediatric brain tumors
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FAQ'S
 
  • What is a brain tumor?
  • Signs & Symptoms  
  • Warning signs
  • Types of brain tumors


Q: What is a brain tumor? 
 
A:  Brain tumors affect nearly 1500 to 2000 children in the U.S. every year. They are diagnosed most often between the ages of 3 to 8, but can occur at any age. A brain tumor results from an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain and is classified by the way brain tumor cells appear under a microscope. Tumors can be more or less malignant. Malignant brain tumors tend to grow rapidly and can spread to the spinal cord. For the malignant tumors, there is still no standard treatment.
 
   Most brain tumors are named after the type of cells from which they develop. Medulloblastomas are malignant tumors formed from poorly developed cells at a very early stage of their life. They develop in the cerebellum, in a part of the brain called the posterior fossa, but may spread to other parts of the brain.
Very rarely, medulloblastomas may spread to other parts of the body. If they do spread to other parts of the brain, or to the spinal cord, this is usually through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is the fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and the spinal cord.
Medulloblastomas are more common in children, particularly between the ages of three and eight. They make up about one in five (20%) of all childhood brain tumors. 
 
 
 
A: Signs and symptoms of brain tumors vary widely, but include:
 
  • headache
  • seizures
  • drowsiness
  • impaired speech
  • difficulty in swallowing
  • impaired vision
  • sudden vomiting
  • poor coordination
  • behavioral changes
  • weakness in a limb or on one side of the body
  • difficulty with balance
  • tingling or weakness in the arms or legs
  • an increase in head size in infants
Q: What are the warning signs
 
A: Because children may ignore or not recognize symptoms of illness, or be too young to communicate them, parents or caretakers should make certain children have regular medical checkups and be alert to signs that indicate something might be seriously wrong.
 
How does a parent distinguish between a relatively minor illness and a serious illness such as cancer? If a child has any of the following symptoms that are persistent, seek medical attention. Of course, these symptoms can occur for reasons other than serious illness. Do not hesitate to seek second opinions if a doctor is not able to determine the cause.
 
Fever
Fatigue, listlessness
Nausea or loss of appetite
Swelling or lumps anywhere on the body
Insomnia or sleeping too much
Change in dispositon, e.g., whining or crying spells, unusual irritability
Nosebleeds or bleeding for any part of the body
Easy and frequent bruising
Double vision or other eye problems
Stumbling or falling
Regression of toliet habits
 
 
Q: TYPES OF BRAIN TUMORS 
 
     Astrocytomas - Most common seen in children
 
  • Cerebellar Astrocytomas - form in the lower back part of the brain adn account for 15-25% of all tumors
  • Low Grade Astrocytomas - may be located in the posterior fossa and can often be surgically removed without additional therapy
  • Anaplastic Astrocytomas - (grade III) look abnormal and grow rapidly

 

     Glioblastoma Multiforme (GMB)  -  are grade IV tumors and are very aggressive

 

     Ependymomas - account for 9% of all brain tumors and occur in the lining of the brain or develop along the    spinal cord. These tumors are usually benign and grow very slowly.

 

     Primitive Neuroectodermal - very highly malignant and behave aggressively. They are most often found in the frontal, temporal or parietallobes of the brain.

 

      Choroid Plexus - rare cancers of gland tissues that produce cerebrospinal fluid

 

      Atypical Teratoid-Rhabdoid - highly aggressive tumors that occur mostly in very young children

 

This site is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through this site should not be used for diagnosing or treating a brain tumor, health problems or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a brain tumor, consult your health care provider.