If your child is one of the 28,000 children in the United States living with a brain tumor, then you need to take action in the form of a pediatric brain tumor treatment immediately. According to the National Brain Tumor Society, nearly 74 percent of children with a primary malignant brain tumor will survive, making the odds of survival positive. Treatment from our office can help survival become a reality for children, as well.
The first step in finding an effective treatment is knowing exactly what a brain tumor is before effectively seeking a treatment plan. Once the parent and child know the extent of the tumor, they can face treatment with understanding and unity.
Common classifications of brain tumors
Brain tumors can be cancerous or non-cancerous, meaning they have the ability to spread to another part of the body. Brain tumors can be localized or invasive. A localized tumor remains in one area of the brain and is easier to remove if it is in an accessible area. An invasive brain tumor may spread throughout the brain, making it more challenging to get to.
A brain tumor can be low-grade or high-grade. If a tumor is low-grade, it means that is most likely going to grow or spread slowly. High-grade tumors, however, can spread quickly and can be cancerous. High-grade tumors also have the capability to come back after the initial treatment.
Brain tumors are also known as primary or secondary. A primary tumor starts in the brain. A secondary brain tumor most likely starts in another part of the body but metastasizes (spread) to the brain.
Most common types of brain tumors
Low-grade gliomas, known as astrocytomas, are the most common type of brain tumor in children. While this type of brain tumor is typically slow-growing and non-cancerous, it can be cancerous and fast growing in certain situations. In this case, professionals will classify them as a high-grade glioma. They are known as astrocytomas since they begin from glial cells which are star-shaped brain cells in the cerebrum known as astrocytes. Astro is Greek for a star.
Medulloblastoma, also known as primitive neuroectodermal tumors, (PNETs) are cancerous high-grade tumors. These tumors originate in the part of the brain at the base of the skull, the posterior fossa. They tend to spread to the spinal cord and other parts of the brain.
Ependymomas are common in children under 3 years of age. It is the third most common type of pediatric brain tumor and a type of brain cancer. It is named for the ependymal lining of the brain where it typically originates. While this list includes the most common types of pediatric brain tumors, it is not an exhaustive list. With a timely and effective treatment from our office, the prognosis for these types of brain tumors is good.
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To learn more about how you can help your child combat pediatric brain tumors with a pediatric brain tumor treatment, schedule an appointment today.