Brain tumors are the most common tumors in children. Tumors that originate in the brain are called primary brain tumors. One that spread from another area in the body are called secondary or metastasized brain tumors. In children, primary brain tumors are more common, and symptoms include increased intracranial pressure, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, seizures and weakness of part of the body controlled by the area of brain that is affected. According to the Children�??s Brain Tumor Foundation, more than 3,000 children are diagnosed with brain tumors each year. The causes of brain tumors cannot always be determined, but various studies indicate that environmental and genetic factors may play a role.
Genetics
In some cases, inherited disease is associated with brain cancers in children. These include Von Recklinghausen disease, which is also called neurofibromatosis 1 and neurofibromatosis 2, Turcot syndrome, Gorlin syndrome, tuberous sclerosis and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. These diseases are the result of certain changes and defects in genes resulting in abnormal cell growth, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Radiation
According to information from the Children�??s Hospital of Wisconsin, radiation may cause brain tumors in children. This may occur if children are receiving radiotherapy for the treatment of other cancers. Radiation penetrates the cells and deregulates the structure and function of DNA, resulting in abnormal cell division in the brain.
Chemicals
During pregnancy, excess exposure to certain chemicals may result in brain tumors in children. Mothers that work in the plastic or textile industry may have excessive exposure to chemicals, such as vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile. Pathologists or lab professionals may have excess contact with the chemical formaldehyde that can cause some cell mutations, according to the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health.
Pesticides
Eating fruit and other foods that are contaminated by certain agricultural chemicals and pesticides during pregnancy may cause brain cancer in a child. Exposure to pesticides such as chlordane and home insecticides also increase the risk of brain tumors in children, according to research published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health.
Viral Infections
Viral infections are also associated with certain brain cancers in children. These include infections with polyomaviruses and cytomegaloviruses.
References
- Cleveland Clinic: Pediatric Brain Tumors
- Children's Hospital of Wisconsin: Brain Tumor
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Symptoms of Brain Tumors
- Mayo Clinic: Brain Tumor
- Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health: Excess Cancer Mortality Among Children and Adolescents in Residential Districts Polluted by Petrochemical Manufacturing Plants in Taiwan
