Cancer occurs when cells in the body grow abnormally and uncontrollably. This uncontrolled growth leads to the formation of a tumor that can interfere with normal cell functions and cause the death of nearby cells. Brain cancer describes the formation of a tumor in brain tissues. Because the brain controls vital bodily functions, brain tumors can become very serious. Although the onset of cancer in childhood is rare, brain cancer is the third most common type of cancer in children, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The Brain
The brain serves as the control center for the entire body. Being enclosed within the skull protects the brain from outside trauma, but also limits its ability to expand. This means that the formation of a tumor increases pressure in the brain, which increases the risk for serious symptoms and complications. The brain consists of three main sections; the cerebrum, the cerebellum and the brain stem, each of which can be affected by brain cancer.
Types of Brain Tumors
More than 130 different types of brain cancer can affect children, according to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Doctors classify brain tumors that originate in the brain's cells as primary brain tumors. The majority of primary brain cancers begin in the supportive tissue in the brain known as glial cells, according to The National Cancer Institute. Specific types of glioma brain cancer include astrocytomas, ependymomas, oligodendrogliomas and brain stem gliomas.
Other cells in the brain can also give rise to brain cancer. The cells that make up the membrane surrounding the brain, known as the meninges, develop into meningiomas. The abnormal growth of primitive nerve cells causes medulloblastoma.
Common Childhood Brain Cancers
Although any type of brain cancer can occur at any age, the majority of brain cancers strike within two distinct age groups; those ages 3 to 12 and those ages 40 to 70, as described by the National Cancer Institute. Because children have immature and primitive cells, the risk of developing certain types of brain cancer increases in children. These types of cancer include medulloblastoma, ependymoma, astrocytoma, brain stem and optical nerve gliomas, and gangliogliomas.
Treatment
Treating childhood brain cancer requires specific research and treatment regimes along with a team of specialized doctors. The required treatment for each case of brain cancer depends on the location, size, type and growth rate of the tumor. Typical treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Because the brain can be difficult to access and the surrounding brain tissue is sensitive to damage, each type of treatment increases the risk for causing long-term side effects.
Outlook
Brain cancer is the deadliest type of childhood cancer with some types of cancer, such as brain stem gliomas, having a survival rate of less than 20 percent, according to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Although the outlook for other types of brain cancer survival rates has improved, the risk of the tumor or the treatment causing long-term physical, emotional or learning disabilities remains high.
