Now Know Different Types of Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children

Brain and spinal cord tumors are the second most common type of cancer in children, following leukemia. These tumors arise from abnormal brain or spinal cord cell growth, which can interfere with vital neurological functions. While some tumors are benign, others can be malignant and pose significant health risks. Understanding the types of tumors that affect children, their symptoms, treatment options, and outcomes is crucial for early diagnosis and effective treatment. (Source)

This article provides a detailed look at the different types of brain and spinal cord tumors in children, their characteristics, diagnostic procedures, and current treatment approaches.

Types of Brain Tumors in Children

1. Astrocytomas (Gliomas)

• Definition: Astrocytomas are tumors that arise from astrocytes, a type of glial cell in the brain. These tumors are classified into low-grade (benign) and high-grade (malignant) types.
• Types:
  • Pilocytic Astrocytoma (Grade I): A slow-growing, typically benign tumor often located in the cerebellum.
  • Diffuse Astrocytoma (Grade II): A slow-growing tumor that may spread throughout the brain.
  • Anaplastic Astrocytoma (Grade III): A malignant tumor with a more aggressive growth pattern.
  • Glioblastoma (Grade IV): The most aggressive form, which rapidly spreads through the brain.
• Symptoms: Headaches, nausea, balance problems, seizures, and vision issues.
• Treatment: Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. (Source)

2. Medulloblastomas

• Definition: Medulloblastomas are fast-growing tumors that arise in the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordination and movement.
• Characteristics: These are highly malignant tumors that can spread through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to other parts of the brain and spine.
• Symptoms: Headaches, vomiting, clumsiness, and trouble walking.
• Treatment: Surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Newer treatments include targeted therapies

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3. Ependymomas

• Definition: Ependymomas arise from ependymal cells, which line the ventricles of the brain and the spinal cord.
• Types:
  • Subependymoma (Grade I): Slow-growing and often asymptomatic.
  • Anaplastic Ependymoma (Grade III): Aggressive and fast-growing.
• Symptoms: Hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain), headaches, and nausea.
• Treatment: Surgery and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy may be used in some cases. (Source)

4. Brainstem Gliomas

• Definition: These tumors develop in the brainstem, the part of the brain that controls vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and swallowing.
• Types:
  • Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG): Highly aggressive and difficult to treat.
  • Focal Brainstem Gliomas: Tend to be slower-growing and more treatable.
• Symptoms: Difficulty walking, trouble with eye movement, facial weakness, and difficulty swallowing.
• Treatment: Radiation therapy and experimental therapies are currently the main options for DIPG. (Source)

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5. Craniopharyngiomas

• Definition: These are benign, slow-growing tumors that develop near the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
• Symptoms: Hormonal imbalances, vision problems, headaches, and growth delays.
• Treatment: Surgery and radiation therapy. Hormone replacement therapy may be required post-treatment. (Source)

6. Germ Cell Tumors

• Definition: Germ cell tumors can arise in the brain, specifically in the pineal or suprasellar regions, from germ cells that fail to migrate properly during development.
• Types:
  • Germinomas: Usually respond well to radiation and chemotherapy.
  • Non-Germinomas: More challenging to treat due to their aggressive nature.
• Symptoms: Hormonal disturbances, early puberty, and vision problems.
• Treatment: Radiation and chemotherapy, with surgery in some cases. (Source)

Types of Spinal Cord Tumors in Children

1. Intramedullary Tumors

• Definition: These tumors grow within the spinal cord itself.
• Types: Astrocytomas and ependymomas are the most common types of intramedullary tumors in children.
• Symptoms: Weakness, difficulty walking, back pain, and loss of bowel or bladder control.
• Treatment: Surgery is the primary treatment, often followed by radiation therapy.

2. Extramedullary Tumors

• Definition: These tumors develop outside the spinal cord but within the spinal column.
• Types: Meningiomas and schwannomas are examples of extramedullary tumors.
• Symptoms: Back pain, sensory changes, and motor weakness.
• Treatment: Surgery is the most common treatment option, with radiation therapy used in some cases. (Source)

Diagnostic Procedures for Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

Diagnosing brain and spinal cord tumors in children involves several steps:

• Imaging Tests: MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT (Computed Tomography) scans are used to identify the location and size of the tumor.
• Biopsy: A sample of the tumor tissue may be taken to determine the tumor type and grade.
• Lumbar Puncture: This test examines cerebrospinal fluid for the presence of cancerous cells, especially in tumors that may spread through the CSF, such as medulloblastoma. (Source)

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Treatment Approaches

1. Surgery: Surgical removal is often the first step in treating both brain and spinal cord tumors. In some cases, complete resection may be possible, while in others, only partial removal is achievable due to the tumor’s location.
2. Radiation Therapy: This is commonly used after surgery to target any remaining cancer cells, especially for malignant tumors like medulloblastomas and high-grade astrocytomas. However, radiation therapy is used with caution in young children due to potential long-term side effects.
3. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is used in certain types of brain and spinal cord tumors, especially in younger children where radiation may pose significant risks.
4. Targeted Therapies: Advances in molecular research have led to the development of targeted therapies that focus on specific genetic mutations in tumors, offering a more precise treatment option with potentially fewer side effects.
5. Experimental Therapies: Experimental treatments, including clinical trials for new drugs and immunotherapy, are ongoing for aggressive tumors like DIPG. (Source)

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Prognosis and Survival Rates

The prognosis for children with brain and spinal cord tumors depends on several factors:

• Tumor Type and Grade: Low-grade tumors like pilocytic astrocytomas generally have better outcomes, while high-grade tumors like glioblastomas and DIPGs are more challenging to treat.
• Location: Tumors in areas that are difficult to access surgically, such as the brainstem, present a higher risk.
• Age at Diagnosis: Younger children may experience more severe long-term effects from treatments like radiation.

Overall, survival rates for childhood brain and spinal cord tumors have improved significantly due to advances in treatment, with some low-grade tumors having survival rates of 90% or higher.

Conclusion

Brain and spinal cord tumors in children represent a diverse group of diseases, each with unique characteristics and treatment challenges. Early detection and advances in surgical techniques, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy have improved survival rates. However, more research is needed to improve outcomes for aggressive tumors such as DIPG. Continued efforts in developing targeted and experimental therapies offer hope for better treatments in the future.