Types of childhood brain tumor
Infratentorial tumors
        Medulloblastoma
        Cerebellar astrocytoma
        Infratentorial ependymoma
        Brain stem glioma
Supratentorial tumors
        Cerebral astrocytoma
        Supratentorial ependymoma
        Craniopharyngioma
        Central nervous system germ cell tumor
        Supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors and pineoblastoma
        Visual pathway and hypothalamic glioma
Spinal Cord Tumors
Recurrent brain tumor

Types of childhood brain tumor

Once childhood brain tumor is detected, additional tests will be performed to determine the type of tumor. If a biopsy specimen is taken, the tumor cells will be examined carefully under a microscope to see how different they appear from normal cells. This will determine the grade of the tumor. The grade of a tumor is determined by microscopic examination of its cells to see how similar the cells are to normal cells. Cells from higher-grade, more abnormal -looking tumors usually grow faster and are more malignant than cells from lower-grade tumors. Your child’s doctor needs to know the type and grade of tumor in order to plan treatment.

There is no staging for childhood brain tumors. Brain tumors are grouped according to their location within the brain and the appearance and behavior of the tumor tissue. The following groupings are used for childhood brain tumors:

Infratentorial tumors are those that occur in the lower part of the brain. Tumors found in this region include:

(Refer to the PDQ summary on Childhood Medulloblastoma Treatment for more information.)

(Refer to the PDQ summary on Childhood Cerebellar Astrocytoma Treatment for more information.)

Ependymal tumors are tumors that begin in the ependyma, the cells that line the hollow cavities within the brain (called ventricles) which are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. The growth of ependymal tumors can obstruct the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid through the brain and spinal cord. Infratentorial ependymomas begin in the lower part of the brain. These tumors may spread via the cerebrospinal fluid to other areas of the brain and spinal cord.

(Refer to the PDQ summary on Childhood Brain Stem Glioma Treatment for more information.)

Supratentorial tumors are those that occur in the upper part of the brain. Common supratentorial tumors include:

(Refer to the PDQ summary on Childhood Cerebral Astrocytoma/Malignant Glioma Treatment for more information.)

Ependymal tumors are tumors that begin in the ependyma, the cells that line the hollow cavities within the brain (called ventricles) which are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. The growth of ependymal tumors can obstruct the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid through the brain. Supratentorial ependymomas begin in the upper part of the brain. These tumors may spread to other areas of the brain and spinal cord, depending on their grade.

Craniopharyngiomas are tumors that generally occur just above the pituitary gland. Located at the bottom of the brain, the pituitary gland is about the size of a pea and controls many vital functions. Craniopharyngiomas do not spread, but may interfere with important structures near them, causing serious problems.

Germ cell tumors arise from the sex cells found in the brain. There are different types of germ cell tumors, including germinomas, embryonal cell carcinomas, choriocarcinomas, and teratomas. These tumors usually occur in the center of the brain, and can spread to other parts of the brain and spinal cord.

(Refer to the PDQ summary on Childhood Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors Treatment for more information.)

(Refer to the PDQ summary on Childhood Visual Pathway and Hypothalamic Glioma Treatment for more information.)

Spinal cord tumors are rare benign or cancerous tumors in the spinal cord (the bundles of nerves that carry messages between the brain and the body). The diagnosis of spinal cord tumors depends on how the tumor looks under a microscope and its location. Spinal cord tumors compress the spinal cord and the surrounding nerves causing symptoms such as pain or numbness in the back, arms, or legs, decreased muscle strength, and in some cases, loss of bowel or bladder control. X-rays of the brain and the entire spine are done at the time of diagnosis to determine extent of disease.

Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back (recurred) after it has been treated. It may recur in its original location, in another part of the central nervous system, or systemically (throughout the body).

Back to Top

< Previous Section  |  Next Section >