Brain tumors in children can occur at any time during childhood. The most important symptoms of brain tumors in children include persistent headache, vomiting, and seizures. Brain tumors in children can be benign or malignant. Depending on the tumor’s type, the most optimal treatment is determined.
At Acıbadem Türkiye, a pediatric neurosurgery clinic, led by Professor Memet Özek who is trained in the US on the treatment of pediatric brain tumors, delivers the safest and most effective treatments to meet the unique needs of children, offering hope to parents.
What are brain tumors in children?
Brain tumors in children are among the most common childhood tumors, ranking second after leukemia. About one in every four childhood tumors is a brain tumor.
Brain tumors originate from cells that have the capacity for abnormal growth and division. These cells grow in an uncontrolled manner and form a lump over time. Thus, they impair the proper functioning of the brain by compressing other healthy cells or spreading between other healthy cells depending on their location.
Signs of brain tumors in children
Signs of brain tumors in children can vary depending on their type, location, and also child’s age. Symptoms of brain tumors in children include:
- Persistent headache
- Vomiting (projectile vomiting especially after getting out of bed in the morning)
- Slowed movements, loss of strength, and paralysis in the arms and legs
- Facial paralysis
- Seizures
- Deviation of eyes, limited right or left gaze
- Inability to look upward
- Decreased visual acuity
- Difficulty swallowing
- Speech disorder
- Restlessness, lack of appetite, continuous crying (in babies)
- Bulged fontanelle
- Continuous sleepiness
- Neck stiffness
What causes a brain tumor in children?
The factors that cause brain tumors in children are not completely understood. Research shows that some hereditary diseases increase the risk of brain tumors in children, including Neurofibromatosis type 1, Tuberous sclerosis, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Turcot syndrome, and Gorlin syndrome.
Childhood Brain Tumor Types and Programs
It’s crucial to recognize that the types of brain tumors most frequently found in children can differ significantly from those typically seen in adults. These tumors not only occur in different locations but also exhibit distinct characteristics. Common types of brain tumors in children include astrocytoma, ependymoma, and medulloblastoma.
Pediatric Brain Tumors Program at Acıbadem’s is one of the world’s most comprehensive childhood brain tumor treatment programs. We know that the treatment of pediatric brain tumors demands a specialized team.
At Acıbadem, childhood brain tumor treatment is planned, carried out, and supervised by a team. This multidisciplinary team consists of a pediatric neurosurgeon, physiotherapist, pediatric neurologist, pediatric oncologist, radiation oncologist, neuroradiologist, pediatric psychologist, and pediatric neurosurgery nurse. The experience and knowledge our specialists possess in childhood brain tumor are unmatched.
How is brain tumors in children diagnosed?
Today, brain lesions can be identified with 3 Tesla MRI scan. A proper scan gives the surgeon an idea about the potential behavior of the tumor. Acıbadem pediatric neurosurgery team plans the best treatment for the tumor after reviewing certain parameters such as type, location, size, and spread of the tumor and its proximity to neural pathways that regulate movements of arms and feet.
For over 15 years, Acıbadem has utilized 3 Tesla MRI to achieve higher-resolution brain images. This advanced imaging allows for more detailed images of tumors. Thus, it facilitates clearer determination of a tumor’s relationship with crucial areas of the brain. Additionally, at Acıbadem, MRI scans are performed, interpreted, and reported by a neuroradiology expert specially trained in imaging brain and spine disorders. This expertise enables us to determine the best treatment strategy for each child’s unique situation.
Although preoperative tests may give an idea about the type of tumor, the final and accurate decision on the type of tumor will be made in the light of pathological examination of the tissue piece that is removed in the operation.
Acıbadem Pediatric Neurosurgery Department successfully operates 600 newborns, babies, and children per year from all around the world.
How is brain tumors in children treatment?
Surgically removing the tumor is often the most effective approach to eliminating brain tumors. Therefore, surgery typically stands out as the primary treatment and offers the best chance of cure if the tumor can be completely removed from the brain. Tumor resection surgery can provide pain relief, restore neurological function and stability, and improve quality of life. The success of tumor resection significantly influences a child’s likelihood of cure and survival rate. It also increases the efficiency of subsequent treatments. However, surgery alone might not be a sufficient solution for children with malignant tumors. In such scenarios, radiation therapy and chemotherapy must be used after the surgery.
“The most important thing in the treatment of brain tumors is the primary surgery. If you can remove the tumor completely, the patient has a very high chance of survival. We operate on more than a hundred children with brain tumors every year, and a high percentage of them survive. Why? Because we remove the tumor completely,” points out Professor Memet Özek.
When should I see a healthcare provider?
You should necessarily visit a pediatrician if you notice the above symptoms in your child. Your pediatrician will refer your child to a pediatric neurosurgeon if deemed necessary. One should always remember that it is rational to have each child with persistent headaches and projectile vomiting, especially after getting out of bed in the morning evaluated by a pediatric neurosurgeon. If there is concern about a tumor in the intracranial space, MRI should be ordered.
Pediatric brain tumors for children in Turkey
Acıbadem Pediatric Neurosurgery Clinic is a world-renowned destination for the treatment of childhood brain tumors. Pediatric oncologists, surgeons, and radiation oncologists collaborate to treat childhood brain tumors. Acıbadem brings comprehensive pediatric neuro-oncology services under one roof. We transform the way patients access their doctors and all healthcare services. This approach leads to a unique patient experience in the treatment of childhood brain tumors.
Why Acıbadem for Treatment?
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, everything changes. The child’s feelings, family priorities, the flow of time, and future plans are all affected. In such a situation, families want to ensure that their child receives the best treatment. Guaranteeing that your child is surrounded by first-tier cancer experts ready to tackle the disease. Acıbadem is home to some of the world’s leading pediatric cancer experts. We combine expertise, compassionate care, and advanced technologies to cultivate the most effective treatments. This ensures that all children receive the best possible care and the most optimal treatment for their specific cancer type.
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