Phone Numbers
Directory assistance
(203) 688-4242
Patient information
(203) 688-4177
Adult emergency
(203) 688-2222
Children's emergency
(203) 688-3333
Admitting
(203) 688-2221
Children's admitting
(203) 688-3331
Psychiatric admitting
(203) 688-9907
Brain and central nervous system (spinal cord) cancers
The brain and spinal cord are made up of many different types of cells and tissues. Abnormal growths can occur in a variety of locations in the brain and central nervous system (CNS). It's important to note that not all of these growths are cancerous.
Cancerous tumors of the brain and spinal cord represent the second most common type of cancer affecting children, accounting for 20 percent of all childhood cancers. Progress is being made in treating these cancers, but the outlook for children with these cancers depends on the type of cancer and the stage at which it is diagnosed.
Risk factors
The cause of brain and CNS cancers is not known in the majority of children.
Genetic research is yielding more clues about this disease. However, scientists
studying the patterns of occurrence have noted that rare cases of brain
and spinal cord cancers run in families.
About 20 percent of all brain tumors occur in children younger than 15, usually peaking between five and 10 years old. Slightly more boys than girls are affected.
Symptoms
There are no screening tests available to detect brain or CNS cancers.
The location of the cancer influences the child's symptoms. The child
may suffer from headaches that are combined with nausea and vomiting,
blurred or double vision, dizziness or difficulty in walking. Sometimes
these symptoms become worse over time, but in some cases, symptoms may
occur more suddenly and be more severe. There may be a delay in diagnosis
because many of these symptoms mimic those caused by noncancerous conditions.
Questions to ask your child's doctor
Diagnosis
A medical history and physical exam can help determine if a child needs
further evaluation. If a tumor is suspected, imaging tests such as bone
X-rays, MRI, CT scans and nuclear scans are used. Needle or open biopsies
or spinal taps can then be used to determine if cancer is present and
the type of cancer. Sometimes genetic studies can provide more information.
Diagnosing cancer
Treatment
Before cancer is treated, it has to be staged. Staging involves finding
out where the cancer is located, the extent of the cancer and whether
it has spread. The type of cancer will determine treatment.
The cancer team at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital includes the child's pediatrician as well as specialists (such as pediatric oncologists and neurosurgeons) at the Yale Cancer Center. Once the cancer is staged, the cancer care team will suggest a treatment plan. This is an important decision and it is good to take time and think about all of the choices.
With cancers of the brain and CNS in children, a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy is often used. For some types of tumors, surgery alone is sufficient. Radiation therapy is sometimes delayed or avoided in children age 3 and younger because of potential developmental problems later on. Chemotherapy can cause side effects as well. Be sure to discuss side effects of treatment with the pediatric oncologist before your child begins therapy.
Clinical trials, protocols and research
Learn more
• YNHH Health Library: Brain tumors
Last revised: Jan. 9, 2008 (dh)
