Common Types of Brain Tumors in Children

What is Pediatric (Children’s) Brain Tumor?

Pediatric (children’s) brain tumor is any form of an abnormal mass of overgrown cells in the brain of the child or in the structure of tissues surrounding it. At times, most of the brain tumors in children are benign (non-cancerous) in nature and do not pose any great threat. However, in case the child’s brain tumor is found to be malignant (cancerous) in nature it is likely to affect the surrounding parts of the brain around it and cause additional complications and some very serious health problems.

These pediatric brain tumors are further divided into various types mostly depending on the location as well as certain other factors related to it. A pediatric brain tumor is somewhat different from an adult brain tumor as the child’s brain is in the development stage hence, the treatment required for it is also different than that for an adult brain tumor.

What are The Different Types of Children’s Brain Tumors?

There are a large number of different tumor types that can affect a child. Pediatric brain tumors may differ from adult brain tumors in nature as well as type. These are mostly classified into stages according to the area affected as well as the characteristic of spreading to the surrounding healthy tissue. These are increasingly graded as being mild (Stage 1) to extremely severe or malignant (Stage 4) end-stage brain tumor.

The most common forms of a brain tumor in children are medulla-blastomas and gliomas (such as optic nerve gliomas, ependymomas, brain stem gliomas and astrocytomas).

These are the other less-commonly seen brain tumors in children:

• Germ cell tumor
• Craniopharyngioma
• Choroid plexus tumor

Where are Brain Tumors in Children Usually Found?

The classification of brain tumors in children is also done according to the location of the tumor within the child’s brain.

These are the most common locations found for brain tumors in children:

• Cerebrum – This is the large, outer part of the brain which controls speech, emotions, voluntary muscle movement, thought, learning, etc.
• Cerebellum – This is the most important parts of the brain and is located in the lower, back part of the brain and is useful for controlling the balancing skills, coordination as well as larger muscle control.
• Brain stem – This is the lower part of the brain and connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord and is meant for controlling various basic body movements and functions.
• Spinal cord – This is a long, tube-like structure which is made of nerves which originate in the brain and travel along the length of the spine and is useful for sending nerve impulses from the brain to the various parts of the body.

How are Children’s Brain Tumors Treated?

There are various forms of treatment methods available to treat brain tumors in children and the exact type will usually depend on the location, severity as well as the type of brain tumor itself for ensuring maximum success.

The treatment of brain tumors in children differs significantly when compared to the treatment of brain tumors in adults as the child’s brain and the body is in the developing stage.

The type of treatment for brain tumors in children will depend mainly on:

• Location of brain tumor
• Nature of tumor (benign or malignant)
• Age of child
• Overall health status of child
• Doctor’s advise

Surgical removal of brain tumors in children is the most common form of treatment procedure available today for brain tumors in children, especially. In case the brain tumor is found to be benign in nature the neurosurgeon will safely remove the brain tumor completely for successful treatment.

Radiotherapy may also be used after a surgical brain tumor removal in cases the location of the brain tumor prohibits entire surgical removal of the tumor. The radiation helps to destroy any remaining tumor cells. Radiation therapy alone is also used to treat brain tumors which are in hard-to-reach locations in the child’s brain.

Why Choose IndianMedTrip for Pediatric (Children’s) Brain Tumor surgery in India?

IndianMedTrip is the largest medical tourism service provider in India with connections to world-class healthcare facilities all across major Indian cities. IndianMedTrip provides each patient from abroad with the best and most effective brain tumor treatment for children at the hands of the most-experienced surgeons in India at the most affordable cost ever.

Interested in Our Services?

REQUEST FREE CONSULTATION

You can send your queries at:
info@indianmedtrip.com
https://indianmedtrip.com/contact-us/
Call or WhatsApp: +91-8600855554


Source: https://indianmedtrip.com/articles/types-of-brain-tumors-in-children/

Read More

Does a Pituitary Tumor shorten Life Expectancy?

Pituitary Tumor – How and why does it develop?

Pituitary tumors (adenomas) are one of the most common forms of tumors found developing in the body. Although the exact cause for the development of a pituitary tumor is unknown, in some cases genetics and certain environmental factors have been suspected to cause a tumor to grow in the pituitary gland.

Pituitary Tumors – Are they Cancerous?

In almost all cases, the pituitary tumors are found to be non-cancerous (benign) in nature. Although the tumor might be benign it might still cause various complications because of its growing size, such as:

•          Loss of vision
•          Abnormal pituitary functions (Hypopituitarism)
•          Headache

Pituitary Tumors – How are they Treated?

Pituitary tumors can be treated using several different methods however the exact type of treatment method for treating the particular pituitary tumor will depend on:

·         Type of Pituitary Tumor – Hormone-secreting pituitary tumors are mostly treated successfully using medications, which are able to reduce the size of the pituitary tumor as well as regulate the level of Prolactin in the body.

·         Size of Pituitary Tumor – In case the pituitary tumor is smaller in size (less than 10 mm) then the treatment method mainly used in medication and these are mostly successful in shrinking the size of the tumor and also for normalizing the level of Prolactin in the body. In case the [pituitary tumor is comparatively larger in size then the doctor will usually suggest a surgical treatment method which will not only remove the tumor but also relieve the pressure being caused on the other surrounding tissues and organs.

Does a Pituitary Tumor shorten Life Expectancy?

The life expectancy of a person is not affected by the development of a pituitary tumor normally, if the patient receives adequate and effective treatment on time.

Hormone replacement therapy is known to help control and regulate the levels of hormones in the body after a pituitary tumor removal procedure is performed. Regular monitoring of the pituitary gland and the level of hormones in the body after a pituitary tumor treatment is advised through regular appointments with the physician/doctor. Steroid medications are also advised after the treatment for pituitary tumors to help regulate the level of cortisol in the body.

If the patient follows the instructions and rules advised by the doctor/surgeon prior to the surgery about the after-care then the patient can expect to live a long and happy life free from any risk and fear of complications arising due to the tumor in the future.

Read More