Brain tumors in children

Brain tumors are the second most common cancer, after leukemia, in children. Brain cancer is a disease where abnormal cells begin to grow in the brain tissue.

There are two forms of brain tumors. A tumor that begins its growth in the brain is called a primary brain tumor. A tumor that starts in another part of the body and spreads to the brain is a secondary or metastatic tumor.

Brain tumors may cause headaches, seizures, vision or speech problems, dizziness, weakness, difficulty walking or handling objects, nausea, and vomiting. If any of these symptoms occur without apparent cause, seek medical care immediately.

Treatment depends on the type of brain tumor identified:

• Surgery removes the tumor.
• Radiation therapy uses high-dose x-rays to shrink tumors. It can interfere with the growth and development of a child's brain, so it is not recommended in children under 3 years old.
• Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill the cancer cells. This treatment can be used for children under 3 years.

Consult the UI Health Care Cancer Information Service for more information about this topic.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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