Children
brain tumor is another tumor that is often found
in children. It can be found since the child is
1 year old; however, it is usually found in children
under the age of 7 years old. There is no clear
collection of statistic in Thai, but, in the United
States, there are 2,200 new children brain tumor
cases each year. More boys are affected with brain
tumor than girl.
Causes
There have been numerous studies and it was found
that there may be numerous causes such as changes
in the structure of some genetic chemical, which
can be inherited, or due to changes in the environment.
Currently, there is no clear cause; however, there
have been progress. The continue study would result
in more successful brain tumor treatment in the future.
Symptoms
Different brain tumor locations may result in different
symptoms. If the tumor were in the motor control
area, the child may not be able to stagger and fall
easily. Other symptoms are weakness arm and legs,
numbness in half of the body, squinted eyes, eye
spasm, hazelip, seizure or spasm. The symptoms would
increase if the tumor grows more or fast, which would
cause high pressure in the brain. In little children,
the symptoms must be observed since they are unable
to express the symptoms such as depression, not able
to suck milk and vomiting. When the children are
older, they may be able to say that they have a headache.
Additionally, high pressure in the brain also affects
eye nerves. If it pressure were persistent, the eyesight
may be loss or may result in loss of consciousness
or comatose. From asking and examining, physician
may be able to diagnose the tumor; however, it must
be confirmed by CT scan or MRI, which will show the
tumor along with the details of the size and location.
Treatment
Currently, there are numerous treatment techniques
such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. In each
case, neurosurgeon and pediatrician will provide
information on the appropriate treatment since the
brain tumor with different sizes will respond differently
to different treatments. If large tumors were in
location that is possible for surgery, surgery would
be done. The advantage of surgery is the tumor can
be removed immediately resulting in immediate brain
pressure reduction.
Additionally, the tumor can be
analyzed by pathologist enabling the patient to know
the type of the tumor, which is very important because
some tumors may require additional treatment such
as radiation or chemotherapy[y after the surgery
for more successful result of the treatment. The
disadvantage of surgery is the risks that associate
with surgery, which neurosurgeon would be able to
inform the patient of the risks for each case. In
some cases, the tumor is in a deep location or high
risk is expected from surgery. If the tumor were
no larger than 3 centimeters, Radiosurgery may be
selected as the treatment.
Generally, the treatment
result depends on many factors such as the patient
condition prior to the surgery, the type of the tumor,
whether it were or were not cancerous, how much of
the tumor is removed by surgery, and if there were
or were no complication. In the case of cancerous
tumor, the treatment result is usually unsatisfactory
because the cancer can reappear or spread to other
areas.
In the case of cancerous tumor, radiation,
or in some cases chemotherapy, is required after
the surgery in order to yield better result.
Radiation
is not the treatment for children under 2 years of
age due to the affect of the radiation to the brain;
therefore, chemotherapy technique is used. In the
event that the tumor were non-cancerous, if the tumor
were completely removed in surgery, there is a chance
for being completely heal. If the tumor reappeared,
it would be in the same location and can be removed
again by surgery. Most of the time, there is no need
for radiation or chemotherapy treatment after surgery.
There are 3 types of brain tumor in children.
1. Pilocytic
astrocytoma
Pilocytic astrocytoma
usually appears in cerebellum as shown
in the picture. This type of tumor is treated
with surgery. If the tumor were completely
removed, it may never reappear. Additionally,
there is no need for radiation or chemotherapy[y
treatment after surgery. However, there
must be CT scan examination periodically
to monitor if there would be new tumor.
X-ray picture
of Pilocytic astrocytoma
In the cases that there is new tumor, it can be
removed by surgery. The surgeries that are being
today apply the usage of microscope, which will
magnify different area resulting in being safer
and more successful result. However, there are
increased risks from surgery, especially when removing
large tumor, which is usually attached to the brainstem.
2. Medulloblastoma
Medulloblastoma
usually appear near cerebellum and
rapidly grow and may spread to the
cerebrospinal fluid. Additionally,
the larger tumor may depress the cerebrospinal
fluid resulting in brain fluid leading
to more sever symptom. In some cases,
the symptoms rapidly grow worst and
surgery to place a fluid release pipe
may be needed prior to the removal.
As much of the tumor as possible needs
to be removed and follow by radiation
and in some cases, chemotherapy may
be required. Currently, the treatment
could enable the patient to stay alive
for up to 10 years.
X-ray picture
of Medulloblastoma
3. Brain stem Glioma
Brain
stem Glioma grows rapidly because it appears in
the very important area, the brainstem resulting
in severe symptoms and the patient may rapidly
get worst. This type of tumor cannot be treated
by surgery; however, surgery may be necessary in
some cases since there are high risks associated
with brainstem surgery. Therefore, it was not treated
with surgery in the past. However, there are equipments
that help make the surgery safer such as Laparoscope
and navigator that indicates the location during
surgery. This type of tumor does not respond to
radiation or chemotherapy treatment. The forecast
is usually unreliable.
X-ray picture
of Brain stem Glioma
The surgeries that are being today apply the
usage of microscope, which will magnify different
area resulting in being safer and more successful
result. However, there are higher risks for the
surgery, especially the large tumor that are attached
to the brainstem. |
