What are the Warning Signs of Brain Tumors in Children?

Each year, primary brain tumours are identified in the majority of children and teenagers.? Primary brain tumours can develop in the brain itself or in tissues near it, such as the pituitary gland, pineal gland, cranial nerves, or the meninges (membranes of the brain). Infantile and juvenile brain tumours differ greatly from adult brain tumours in terms of the sort of cells they contain and how they respond to treatment.??

Additionally, there is a higher chance of developing central nervous system tumours in children who have specific hereditary diseases, such as neurofibromatosis, von Hippel-Lindau disease, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and retinoblastoma. Children from the same family who do not have any of these hereditary disorders have also been reported to develop brain tumours.?

The following are some of the warning signs and symptoms of a probable brain tumour in children:?

Headache

Headaches are a common symptom among children with brain tumours, although many children who have headaches do not have brain tumours. An alarming sign to look out for is a headache that gets worse in the morning. This is partially due to the fact that when you're lying down, your brain experiences increased pressure, which a tumour may exacerbate.?

Nausea and Vomiting

Two typical symptoms of the flu or flu-like disorders are nausea and vomiting. But on rare occasions, these symptoms can be brought on by an enlarged brain tumour that is raising the pressure inside the brain. Consult your child's paediatrician for a professional medical opinion if these symptoms linger or occur together with a headache.?

Sleepiness

Usually, being sleepy is not a problem. But it is recommended to consult a doctor on whether more testing may be required if your child is acting drowsy or extra sleepy for no obvious cause.?

Problems in vision, hearing and speech?

Vision, hearing, and speech can all be impacted by a brain tumour depending on its location. It goes without saying that many kids face difficulties in these areas for reasons unrelated to brain tumors. However, if your child experiences unexpected changes in their vision, hearing, or speech, a medical professional should assess these changes.?

Balance Problems

A tumour that is located close to the brain stem may result in balance issues. Most toddlers experience slips and tumble frequently. However, young children should see a doctor if their balance issues are severe or getting worse. A doctor can assist you figure out why your child is suddenly having trouble maintaining their balance.

Seizures

Seizures may be brought on by a brain tumour that is sitting on the brain's surface. Laughing is among the numerous behaviours that can cause a seizure. You ought to visit a physician if your child is having seizures. Seizures must always be addressed because the reason could be a tumour or something else.?

Large Head Size?

Infants' skull bones have not yet grown together or fused when they are young. These bones are still flexible, so a brain tumour could affect the growth of their head in an unnatural manner. Your doctor can assist you in determining whether further testing is necessary if you observe a bulge on one side or any other significant changes to your baby's head shape.?

How is Brain Tumor Treated in Children?

The type of treatment for a brain tumour will be decided depending on the child's age, general health, medical history, the type, location, and size of the tumour, the severity of the condition, and the child's tolerance for particular drugs, procedures, or therapies.?

Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, steroids, anti-seizure medication, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, bone marrow transplant, supportive care (for tumor-related side effects), rehabilitation and antibiotics.?

Surgery

The paediatric neurosurgeon will operate to safely remove as much of the brain tumour as feasible if the tumour is easily operable. When tumours are tiny and simple to remove from surrounding brain tissue, total surgical excision is sometimes possible.?

Traditional radiation therapy

In radiation therapy, tumour cells are destroyed by high-energy beams like X-rays or protons. It is possible to apply external beam radiation to the entire brain of your child or just the region of the brain where the tumour is present (whole-brain radiation). Cancer that has migrated from another part of the body to the brain is most frequently treated with whole-brain radiation.

Radiosurgery

In stereotactic radiosurgery, the tumour cells are killed in a very tiny region using a highly targeted form of radiation therapy. Each radiation beam isn't very strong, but the brain tumour receives a very high dose of radiation at the moment when all the beams come together, which kills the tumour cells.?

Chemotherapy

Drugs are used in chemotherapy to destroy tumour cells. Although the medications can be taken orally as pills, in children with juvenile brain tumours, the medications are typically injected into a vein (intravenous chemotherapy). Options for chemotherapy vary on the type of cancer being treated.

Targeted Drug Therapy

Targeted medication therapies concentrate on particular defects that are prevalent in cancer cells. Bevacizumab is one instance of a targeted medication used to treat the low-grade glioma kind of brain cancer. This medication, administered intravenously (via a vein), prevents the growth of new blood vessels, cutting off the blood supply to a tumour and eliminating the malignant cells.?

Rehabilitation after treatment

Rehabilitation could be required as part of the healing process since brain tumours can grow in regions of the brain that regulate speech, thinking, motor abilities, and vision. To help the child rebuild muscle strength, begin everyday activities, resolve trouble speaking, and manage memory issues, several therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and tutoring are advised.

Let’s have a look at some of our case studies and Doc’s Talk:

Health Talk on Brain Tumors by Dr. Anandh Balasubramaniam | Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad

Brain Tumor Excision | Brain Tumor | Ms. Deepa Roy | Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad

Are Brain Tumor surgeries safe? | Brain Tumor Treatment | Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad

Laparoscopic Brain Surgery | Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad

Does your child exhibit any of the symptoms listed above?

Advanced paediatric neurosurgery can provide excellent therapy and a full recovery for the majority of young patients who have this uncommon illness. Seek the advice of a trusted medical practitioner if you have concerns about one or more of these symptoms in your child.?

Get a free expert second opinion from Yashoda Hospitals.?

Given the potentially life-changing consequences of treatment, it is always critical to seek a Second Opinion from the medical professional.??

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