Brain Tumors in Kids: What You Need to Know
Brain cancer is the second most common type of childhood cancer in the United States(1), with roughly 5,000 children diagnosed every year (2). Let’s shine some light on the types of brain tumors, how they may be treated, and the next steps to take if your child receives this diagnosis.
What is a brain tumor?
A brain tumor is simply any abnormal mass or “lump” that develops inside the brain or meninges, the layers that surround the brain.
What types of brain tumors are there?
A brain tumor can be either benign or cancerous.
A benign brain tumor is non-cancerous, but that doesn’t mean they don’t cause problems. As a benign brain tumor grows, it may put pressure on the surrounding brain tissue, creating a wide array of symptoms that can vary based on where the mass is located. Your child’s doctor may opt to “watch” a benign brain tumor, and only recommend surgery if symptoms become severe or if the tumor is growing rapidly. Some benign tumors grow very slowly and may be present for many years without causing symptoms. Others may grow slowly, but still need treatment if they begin to interfere with important parts of the brain.
There are two broad categories of cancerous brain tumors: primary and metastatic. A primary brain tumor is one that started in the brain and did not spread from another part of the body. A metastatic (sometimes called “secondary”) brain tumor spreads from cancer in a different part of the body.
Common Types of Cancerous Brain Tumors
Cancerous brain tumors are named according to the type of tissue in which they develop. Doctors use a grading system to express how slow-growing or fast-growing a tumor is. A grade of 1 or 2 means the tumor is less aggressive, and a grade of 3 or 4 means it’s more aggressive. A higher grade means the tumor is more serious.
Astrocytomas are the most common type of childhood brain cancer. (2). These tumors grow from cells called astrocytes. Astrocytes are a subtype of glial cells, which surround and protect the neurons, or nerve cells.
Astrocytomas account for around half of all childhood brain cancers, and happen most commonly in children ages 5-8 (2).
Medulloblastomas account for around 20% of childhood brain cancers (3). These tumors typically form in the cerebellum, which is located in the lower, back part of the brain. The cerebellum controls coordination, movement, and balance.
Craniopharyngiomas are slow-growing tumors that develop near the base of the brain (4). As they grow, they can put pressure on the pituitary gland and optic nerves. The pituitary gland plays an important role in hormone production. The optic nerves are responsible for our vision. Because of their location, craniopharyngiomas can be difficult to remove without damaging surrounding structures. Your child’s neurosurgeon (a doctor who specializes in brain surgery) will determine the best course of action based on your child’s CT and/or MRI images.
While these are among the most common, there are many types and subtypes of brain tumors not covered here.
What Symptoms Should I Look For?
Brain tumors cause a wide range of symptoms based on their size, severity, and location in the brain. If you notice these signs, talk to your child’s doctor right away:
- Headaches
- Changes in vision
- Changes in speech
- Numbness and/or tingling
- Ongoing nausea or vomiting
- Memory problems
- Personality changes, irritability, excessive crying
- Drowsiness or lethargy
- Trouble with movement (ie, walking or crawling)
- Difficulty with coordination (ie, holding a pen or crayon, using toys)
- Increase in skull size (macroencephaly) in infants whose skull is not yet fused
*Note: This is not intended as medical advice. If you notice these symptoms or any others in yourself, your child, or another loved one, contact a doctor immediately.
What Risk Factors Does My Child Have?
The cause of many brain cancers is still unknown (4). Knowing your child’s risk factors can help with early detection and treatment, which can lead to better outcomes.
- Genetics: Some genetic conditions put your child at higher risk for brain tumors.
- Family history: It’s best to advocate for early screening for your child if other people in your family have had brain cancer at a young age.
- Parental age: Children whose mother was over age 40 when they were born have a higher rate of brain tumors (4).
- Age and sex: Different types of brain cancers happen more commonly in boys or girls, or in children of different ages.
- Environmental exposure: Exposure to high-dose radiation can create a higher risk of childhood brain tumors. Certain infections may also put your child at risk, although this topic requires further research.
What Should I Expect During Diagnosis?
If your doctor suspects your child may have a brain tumor, they will first complete a thorough physical exam and medical history. The next step is getting imaging, such as a CT or MRI scan. These tests take images of the inside of your child’s brain to help determine if they have a brain tumor.
If the images show a mass in your child’s brain, your doctor may refer you to a neurosurgeon for a biopsy. This is when the surgeon collects a small piece of tissue from the brain mass, which is sent to a pathologist. A pathologist is a specialized doctor who looks at the tissue to determine what type of tumor your child has. If possible, the neurosurgeon may also remove or debulk (cut pieces of) your child’s brain mass during the same surgery, but in some cases, this is not an option.
What Treatment Options Are There?
After diagnosis, your child’s team of doctors will discuss treatment options with you and your family.
- Surgery: If possible, a neurosurgeon may remove the tumor. Some tumors cannot be fully removed if they are located very close to sensitive structures in the brain.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation may be used to shrink or destroy tumor cells.
- Chemotherapy: These medications can slow or stop tumor cell growth.
- Targeted therapy: This can be used to interrupt tumor cell growth in certain types of brain cancers.
- Immunotherapy: This newer treatment uses your child’s immune system to attack cancer cells.
What’s Next?
Medical advancements mean that 75% of children survive 5 years or more after a brain cancer diagnosis, with many of them going on to lead full and healthy lives (5). When your child is diagnosed with brain cancer, the future may look scary, but remember that there is a community of people waiting to support you. Be sure to reach out to friends and family, and don’t forget to take time to rest, process difficult emotions, and care for yourself. The medical center where your child receives treatment may have resources available to assist you and your child during this time, and of course, Sassy Carmen provides support and guidance to families affected by pediatric cancer.
For more information on childhood brain cancer, see the other resources on Sassy Carmen’s website or follow the references linked in this article.
References
- https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/childbrain.html
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/brain-tumor/pediatric-brain-tumors
- https://pcrf-kids.org/2025/05/06/the-most-common-types-of-brain-tumors-in-children-a-guide-to-pediatric-brain-cancers/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535415/
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-children/about/key-statistics.html
