Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer deaths in children and are the most common paediatric solid-organ malignancy.

Types

Types of brain tumours in children include:

• Astrocytoma: Most common brain tumour in children. graded from 1 (pilocytic astrocytoma) to 4 (glioblastoma multiforme). Grade 1 tumours have an excellent prognosis as opposed to grade 4 tumours (95% vs 20% 5-year survival).
• Medulloblastoma: Second most common brain tumour in children. Highly aggressive.
• Meningioma (tumours of arachnoid cells of the meninges)
• Craniopharyngioma: Originates from the pituitary gland and can present with homonymous hemianopia from pressure on the optic chiasm
• Ependymomas (tumours of the cells of the ventricular system)

PC

Signs and symptoms consistent with presentation of a brain tumour include:

• Persistent headaches that are worse in the morning
• Signs of raised intracranial pressure
• Seizure in an older child with no fever and no previous history of seizures

Investigation

• Suspected space occupying lesions are investigated with imaging of the brain (MRI or CT)

Management

• Highly dependent on the tumour site, size, type and staging