Brain Tumors in Kids: Understanding the Diagnosis

Brain Tumors in Kids- Part 2

Information is our best tool as we grapple with a difficult diagnosis. If your child or loved one has a brain tumor, you may find yourself wondering about the details: where exactly in the brain is it? How aggressive is it, and what types of treatment are available? What steps can I take to manage my child’s care during this time?

This article aims to answer those questions. It’s part two of a three-part series covering the basics of understanding pediatric brain tumors. If you haven’t already, read part one for an overview, then dive into this article for some facts on where different types of tumors develop in the brain, and statistics on the most common types of brain cancer in kids.

What is a Brain Tumor?

Here’s a quick review from part one (“Brain Tumors in Kids: What You Need to Know”): A brain tumor is a mass or lump that develops inside the brain or the meninges, the layers that surround the brain. Some brain tumors are benign, meaning they are not cancerous, but even a benign brain tumor can cause problems if it puts pressure on important parts of the brain as it grows. Other brain tumors are cancerous. They can be primary tumors, which begin within the brain, or metastatic (secondary) tumors, which start in a different body part and spread to the brain.

A Crash Course in Brain Anatomy

Don’t worry, we won’t get too technical here! You don’t need to be an expert, but understanding a little bit of brain anatomy can help you visualize where your child’s tumor is located and how it grows.

The brain has many distinct parts that control our speech, movement, bodily functions, memory, and, well…everything. It’s composed of four major lobes or sections, collectively called the cerebrum. The cerebellum is the area below the cerebrum. It controls muscle movement and coordination. The brain stem sits between the cerebellum and the top of the spinal cord. The brain stem controls our most basic reflexes, such as breathing. The spinal cord extends down the inside of our spine (backbone). It carries messages along the nerves from the brain to the rest of the body. The brain is wrapped in three layers, called meninges. They protect and cushion the brain.

In the center of the brain, there are four ventricles, which are open spaces filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF circulates around our brain to protect, nourish, and clean it.

The choroid plexus produces and filters CSF. If the choroid plexus becomes blocked by a tumor, blood, or other debris, CSF builds up. This increases the intracranial pressure (ICP), or pressure inside the brain. If left untreated, a high ICP can cause brain damage.

Running throughout the brain are neurons, which are cells that send and receive messages between the brain and the body. Glial tissue supports and protects the delicate neurons. There are many types of glial tissue.

Now that you have a bit of understanding of where brain tumors can be located, let’s discuss the varieties most often seen in kids.

Quick Facts About Common Childhood Brain Tumors

There are far too many specific types of brain tumors to cover them all, but this list gives key points on the most common types.

Gliomas

Fifty percent of all pediatric brain tumors are a type of glioma.⁽¹⁾
Slow-growing gliomas have a five-year survival rate of 90%. High-grade gliomas can be difficult to treat and have a five-year survival rate of 20%. ⁽¹⁾
Because glial tissue follows nerve pathways throughout the brain, these tumors often grow in a web-like shape. This makes them difficult to fully remove during surgery.

Types of gliomas include:

Astrocytomas

These tumors form from the star-shaped cells called astrocytes.
Astrocytes perform the important task of supporting nerve cells.
Astrocytomas typically form in the cerebellum. ⁽²⁾

Ependymomas

Ependymomas usually grow inside the ventricles or spinal cord.

If a tumor is present in the ventricles, it may block CSF. If this occurs, a tube is placed into the brain to safely drain the excess fluid.
On average, the five-year survival rate for ependymomas is around 60%. Older children have a better chance of survival than younger children.⁽¹⁾

Glioblastomas

Glioblastomas are very aggressive tumors that can occur in any part of the brain.
Full removal with surgery is especially difficult. Treatment includes radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Sadly, the five-year survival rate is less than 20% for the most severe forms of these tumors. ⁽³⁾

Medulloblastomas

Medulloblastomas make up 20% of pediatric brain tumors. ⁽¹⁾
They appear in the cerebellum and may grow quickly.
Balance and coordination problems are common symptoms.

Craniopharyngiomas

These tumors grow near the bottom of the brain.
They often affect the pituitary gland, which helps control our hormones. They may also press on the optic nerves, which manage our vision.
Surgery may be difficult due to their location. Treatment may include radiation, chemotherapy, and possibly hormone replacement.

Choroid plexus papillomas & carcinomas

Choroid plexus tumors develop in the ventricles.
They may be difficult to remove surgically due to a high risk of bleeding.
Treatment may include placing a tube into the brain to drain blocked CSF.

Meningiomas

This type of tumor may appear in children, although they are somewhat more common in adults.
Meningiomas grow in the layers that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges).
Surgical removal may be more straightforward than other types of tumors thanks to their location.

Action Steps & Moving Forward

Still with me? That was a whole lot of information. The good news: new treatments are steadily emerging, improving your child’s chance of not only surviving brain cancer but thriving in the long term.

Perhaps you’re wondering: okay, but what do I do now?

Here’s a simple suggestion: Get a notebook to chronicle your child’s brain cancer journey. It’s a simple action step that can help you stay organized as you advocate for your child’s care. Grab some sticky notes or paper clips and divide it into a few sections. Use one area to write down appointment times and locations. Create a second section to monitor your child’s symptoms, and list their medications and allergies. Earmark a few pages to scribble your questions- that way, you can easily reference them when you speak to your child’s healthcare team. And finally, set aside a handful of pages for notes from loved ones. When friends and family come to visit, ask them to leave a few words of encouragement for you and your child.

As always, Sassy Carmen has resources and support for your family as you face this together. While this article focused heavily on statistics and facts, part three looks to the future: what to expect during treatment, and how to navigate the day-to-day during this life-changing illness.

References

https://pcrf-kids.org/2025/05/06/the-most-common-types-of-brain-tumors-in-children-a-guide-to-pediatric-brain-cancers/
https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/astrocytoma-tumors/#:~:text=Pilocytic%20Astrocytoma%20is%20a%20well,head%2C%20just%20above%20the%20neck.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK469983/#:~:text=The%20reported%20median%20survival%20in%20p%2DGBM%20ranges,p%2DGBM%20as%20compared%20with%20adults%20(4%2C%209%E2%80%9311).

*Note: This is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your medical team for complete medical information and prognosis.

Brain Tumors in Kids: Understanding the Diagnosis