Brain and spine tumors are the second most common cancers in children after leukemia. Brain tumors affect nearly 2,500 children in the United States every year, accounting for 20% of childhood cancers.
The brain controls many important facets of everyday life, including emotions, thought, speech, vision, hearing and movement. The brain sends messages throughout the body via the spinal cord and cranial nerves in the head. The network of the brain and spinal cord is called the central nervous system (CNS). Tumors can develop in the spinal cord and cranial nerves.
The hard, bony skull protects the brain, and the bones (vertebrae) of the spine protect the spinal cord. A liquid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounds both the brain and the spinal cord.
The brain has four main parts:
Basal ganglia: Found deeper inside the brain, these play a part in muscle movement.
Brain stem: Located at the base of the brain, the brain stem has nerve fibers that carry messages between the cerebrum and the rest of the body. A small but important area, the brain stem plays a part in breathing and heartbeat.
Cerebellum: At the back of the brain, this section helps control and coordinate movement, such as walking and swallowing.
Cerebrum: The outer and largest part of the brain. It has two halves called hemispheres and is responsible for emotions, reasoning, language, movement and the senses of seeing, hearing, smelling and touch; and the perception of pain.
Childhood brain tumor types
Because the brain and spinal cord are made up of many kinds of tissues and cells, many types of tumors – both benign and malignant– can develop in these areas. These tumors may require different treatment and have different outlooks.
Even when brain tumors are benign, they can cause serious problems. Although non-cancerous brain tumors usually grow slower than cancerous brain tumors, they may damage and press against normal brain tissue or the spine as they grow.
Childhood brain and spinal cord tumors differ from adult tumors. The location where they develop, the type of cell in which they develop, and their treatment and outlook often are different. Brain tumors are classified by the types of cells they contain. This determines how they grow and what kind of treatment they require. The brain tumors found most often in children are the following.
Medulloblastoma: This is the most common type of malignant brain tumor in children. Learn more about medulloblastoma.
Astrocytoma: These form in the cerebrum in cells called astrocytes. They usually grow slowly, but higher-grade tumors spread more quickly. Since they mix with normal brain tissue, they can be difficult to remove surgically. They may spread along pathways of CSF but seldom spread outside the brain or spinal cord. Glioblastoma is the highest grade astrocytoma and the fastest growing.
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma: This dangerous tumor often has a poor prognosis. It grows in a vital area of the brain called the pons, which is in the brain stem.
Ependymomas develop in the brain lining, usually in the posterior fossa or along the spinal cord in glial cells. About five percent of childhood brain tumors are ependymomas. They begin in cells that line the ventricles or central canal of the spine. Ependymomas do not usually spread outside the brain or spinal cord, but they may block CSF, causing hydrocephalus.
Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET): These aggressive tumors can develop anywhere in the brain, but they are usually in the frontal, temporal or parietal lobes.
Pineoblastomas: A type of PNET that develops in pineal gland and can be difficult to treat.
Craniopharyngiomas: These slow-growing tumors start above the pituitary gland but below the brain. They may press on the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, causing hormone problems. Since they start near the optic nerves, they can cause vision problems and be difficult to remove without damaging vision.
Mixed glial and neuronal tumors: Certain tumors that develop in children and young adults (and rarely in older adults) have both glial and neuronal cell components. They tend to have a fairly good prognosis.
- Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNETs) look as if they could grow quickly when viewed under the microscope, but these tumors tend to be fairly benign, and most are cured by surgery alone.
- Ganglioglioma is a type of tumor that has both mature neurons and glial cells. Most can be cured by surgery alone or surgery combined with radiation therapy.
Choroid plexus tumors: These rare tumors start in the choroid plexus within the ventricles of the brain. Most are benign and can be removed by surgery.
Other tumors that start in or near the brain
Meningiomas: These tumors begin in the meninges, the tissue around the outer part of the brain and spine. They may press on the brain or spinal cord. Meningiomas are almost always benign and are usually cured by surgery. If they are near vital structures in the brain, they may need additional treatment.
Chordomas start in the bone at the base of the skull or at the lower end of the spine. They can injure the nervous system by pressing on it. They usually do not spread to other areas.
Germ cell tumors: Developing from germ cells, which normally form eggs in women and sperm in men, these are rare tumors. They form in the fetus when germ cells move to abnormal locations, including the brain. Germ cell tumors of the nervous system are usually found in children, most commonly in the pineal gland or above the pituitary gland. Learn more about childhood germ cell tumors.
Brain metastases: Cancers that metastasize (spread) to the brain from other areas of the body are called metastases. These are treated differently than primary brain cancers.
Childhood brain tumors risk factors
Anything that increases your child’s chance of getting a brain tumor is a risk factor. While no definite risk factors have been found for childhood brain tumors, some things may put your child at increased risk, including:
- Radiation exposure, particularly if your child was treated with radiation to the brain for leukemia. This late effect usually is seen between 10 to 15 years after treatment.
- Rare inherited genetic conditions, including:
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2
- Von Hippel-Lindau disease
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Other diseases that run in certain families, including:
- Turcot syndrome
- Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome
- Gorlin syndrome (basal cell nevus syndrome)
Some cases of brain cancer can be passed down from one generation to the next. Genetic counseling may be right for you. Learn more about the risk to you and your family on our genetic testing page.
Learn more about childhood brain tumors:
My son Benjamin was born weighing only 3 pounds. He stayed in the NICU for seven months. It was challenging and financially draining. We had a kindergartener and toddler at home, while also visiting Benjamin at the hospital every day.
When Benjamin was able to come home, he had a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) central line, an ostomy bag and a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) to receive nutrition.
By the time he was 1, he was able to eat and have the ostomy bag and G-tube removed. Life was beginning to feel normal.
At 2 years old, he jumped into a foam pit at a birthday party and came out holding his head to the side. When I asked if he felt hurt, he said no. I waited a few days thinking he had pulled a muscle in his neck. But the head tilt remained.
When I took him to his pediatrician, they sent us to physical therapy. After two weeks, nothing had improved. We saw a neurologist who said he seemed happy and healthy with no other symptoms other than a head tilt. The neurologist ordered an MRI to be safe, but I remember her telling me that she did not think they would find anything.
Before we left the hospital parking lot, I received a call saying the MRI results were in.
A childhood brain tumor diagnosis
That is when Benjamin was diagnosed with a type of brain tumor called a Grade 1 pilocytic astrocytoma. His oncologist at our local hospital recommended he start chemotherapy but suggested waiting on radiation therapy to give his body and brain time to grow so they could access the tumor better.
A few months later, tests showed the tumor had grown. His care team decided to operate. Benjamin had just turned 3 years old when he underwent brain surgery. He then had two weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. This was rough on our family because we had two little girls at home.
After six years of trying several types of chemotherapy, including two clinical trials, we were ready to try radiation therapy. I knew the tumor was still growing and Benjamin was having symptoms such as sleepiness and increased face paralysis. So, we decided to take a leap of faith, trust God and go to MD Anderson to have his tumor treated with proton beam therapy.
Proton therapy is an advanced type of radiation treatment that uses a beam of protons to deliver radiation directly to the tumor, destroying cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. As a result, it minimizes side effects to prevent long-term complications. Because of the physical properties of proton beams, it is ideal for pediatric cancer patients with tumors located near growing tissues, especially in the brain, spine, eyes, ears or mouth.
Perseverance through proton therapy treatment
In Sept. 2022, when Benjamin was 10 years old, he started proton therapy at MD Anderson under the care of Dr. David Grosshans. He had a wonderful experience at MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center. Benjamin told me it was the easiest treatment he has been through. He bonded with his care team and loved taking naps during treatment. On Nov. 4, he celebrated his last treatment by ringing the gong.
During treatments, he did not have side effects. But after he completed proton therapy, he experienced some numbness on the left side of his body and weakness in his leg. He continues to go to physical therapy and that helps improve his strength.
Benjamin is doing well, and the tumor is stable. He is working hard to get caught up at school. Missing school for treatment affected his learning the most.
My advice to other parents is to bring a book and a snack to treatment. Keep a watchful eye on the patient and most of all, remember to take it one day at a time.
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.
When Ben Gadot’s brain tumor symptoms began in 2013, he was just 3 months old. The first sign was a visual change in his eyes.
“It was as if he was always looking down,” says Cecilia Gadot, Ben’s mom. “We could see mostly just the white part of his eyes.”
ER trip reveals childhood brain tumor
When Cecilia and her husband, Raphael, took Ben to their pediatrician, they were referred to an ophthalmologist. But Ben's health quickly started to decline. Cecilia remembers him being very fussy, crying and vomiting. They took him to a local emergency room.
A CT scan revealed a childhood brain tumor called pilomyxoid astrocytoma. Ben’s diagnosis was a Grade 2 optic pathway glioma.
Ben started chemotherapy to slow the growth of the tumor at a nearby hospital.
In 2016, he underwent tumor debulking surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. The tumor impaired Ben’s vision, and he started to experience precocious puberty at age 3.
In April 2021, Ben’s care team considered treating him with proton therapy but decided to keep him on chemotherapy to slow the tumor’s growth. In July 2022, Ben underwent a ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery. By draining extra fluid in his brain, the shunt would help control pressure there.
Brain tumor growth leads to proton therapy treatments
But that September, an MRI showed a slight progression of the tumor. Ben’s care team decided it was time to start proton therapy at MD Anderson under the care of radiation oncologist David Grosshans, M.D., Ph.D. Because protons can be precisely controlled, pediatric proton beam radiation is ideal for tumors near growing healthy tissues.
On Oct. 17, 2022, Ben started 28 days of proton therapy. With his positive attitude and the help of the child life team, he underwent treatments and MRIs without sedation. “The bond he had with his care team brought him a lot of trust and comfort,” says Cecilia.
Ben enjoyed playtime with child life assistant Leon Benavides in the playroom at the Proton Therapy Center before and after treatment.
“MD Anderson’s staff is very supportive and caring, from the front desk to the nurses, doctors, radiation therapists and, most importantly, child life specialists,” says Cecilia. “Ben’s time in the playroom with Mr. Leon was his daily reward and incentive.”
Finding gratitude with a child in cancer treatment
Cecilia encourages other parents of pediatric cancer patients to find something to be grateful for each day. “The hardest part of treatment is waiting for it to start. Once it starts, it goes pretty smoothly and quickly,” she says. “So, take time to make each day a good day.”
Ben’s appointments were scheduled early in the morning so he could continue his daily routine. Most days he was able to go to school.
On Nov. 23, 2022, a few days before Thanksgiving, Ben rang the gong with his family and care team cheering him on. “We are so grateful for MD Anderson for not only being the best place to receive proton therapy but for making Ben feel comfortable and cared for along the way.”
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.
Why come to MD Anderson for childhood brain tumor care?
The Children's Cancer Hospital offers comprehensive, personalized care for benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) brain tumors in children. Our expert, highly specialized physicians and a dedicated support staff follow your child every step of the way, collaborating and communicating closely.
Advanced diagnosis and treatment
We provide the most advanced diagnostic and treatment approaches, many of which are available at only a few hospitals in the nation. Our surgeons are top in their fields, and their expertise helps target the tumor while saving as much of the surrounding tissue as possible.
In collaboration with Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, our pediatric brain tumor program brings together expertise from two renowned hospitals. The program ensures that patients receive timely and accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment for all types of childhood brain tumors.
Children's Cancer Hospital offers clinical trials for innovative new treatments for brain tumors in children. And, behind the scenes we are working on groundbreaking basic science research to change the future of pediatric cancer.
Treating the whole child
Children's Cancer Hospital is designed just for children, with a full range of services and amenities that help make the child and family's experience as comfortable as possible. We go beyond medical care to deliver a comprehensive experience that treats the whole child. And at Children's Cancer Hospital, you're surrounded by the strength of one of the nation's top cancer centers.
The one gift cancer gave me is perspective. Now, each day is a new day and is filled with possibilities.
MD Anderson's Children's Cancer Hospital