Pediatric brain tumors develop when abnormal cells or masses form in a child’s brain or surrounding areas. These tumors can be either cancerous or non-cancerous. The treatment plan and recovery prospects depend on factors such as the tumor’s type, location, extent of spread, and the child’s overall health condition. Prompt consultation with a neurologist greatly improves the chances of a successful outcome. If a pediatric neurologist in Ludhiana suspects a tumor, they will conduct several diagnostic tests and recommend the most appropriate treatment accordingly.
What are the symptoms of a brain tumor in children?
The signs and symptoms of a brain tumor can vary from one child to another, depending on the tumor’s size, location, type, and rate of growth. Early diagnosis and timely brain tumor surgery in Punjab can significantly improve your child’s health and recovery. Below are some of the most common symptoms to look out for:
General symptoms may include:
- Unexplained vomiting or nausea
- Vision problems, such as double vision
- Increased pressure in the head
- Frequent or severe headaches
Other symptoms (depending on the tumor’s location) include:
- Bulging or fuller soft spot (fontanel) on a baby’s skull
- Seizures (with no previous history of seizures)
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- Trouble walking
- Trouble swallowing
- Loss of appetite or difficulty feeding
- Abnormal eye movements
- Weakness or loss of sensation in arms or legs
- Facial weakness or drooping
- Confusion and irritability
- Hearing difficulties
- Memory problems
- Changes in personality or behavior
What are the causes of a brain tumor in children?
Although the exact cause of brain tumors in children is still unknown, most cases involve primary brain tumors, which originate in the brain or nearby tissues. These tumors often develop due to genetic mutations or errors in DNA, causing cells to grow and divide uncontrollably at an abnormal rate.
What Are the Possible Risk Factors?
The exact cause of brain tumors in children remains unclear. However, certain factors may increase the risk.
Some of the more common types of primary brain tumors in children include:
- Ependymoma
- Medulloblastoma
Additionally, a family history of brain tumors can increase the likelihood of a child developing the condition.
How Is It Diagnosed?
A neurologist in Ludhiana will recommend several tests and procedures to accurately diagnose your child’s condition and determine the best treatment plan.
Common diagnostic methods include:
- Neurological Exam:
Assesses strength, reflexes, balance, hearing, and coordination. - Imaging Tests:
Used to determine the tumor’s size, location, and spread. These may include MRI, CT scan, or PET scan. - Biopsy:
Involves removing a small tissue sample from the tumor to identify the type of cells and determine how aggressive the tumor is.
In addition, doctors may perform precision medicine testing to evaluate how far the cancer has spread and identify targeted treatment options.
What Are the Treatment Options?
1. Surgery
If the tumor is accessible, a pediatric neurosurgeon will aim to remove it as safely and effectively as possible.
- In cases where the tumor is small and can be separated from healthy brain tissue, surgery is often straightforward.
- Removing certain parts of the tumor can also help reduce symptoms and improve overall outcomes.
2. Traditional Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy tumor cells. These beams can be delivered:
- Externally – from a machine outside the body (external beam radiation)
- Internally – by placing radioactive material near the tumor (brachytherapy)
In most cases, whole-brain radiation is used when the cancer has spread from one part of the brain to another.