A brain tumour is a serious condition that involves the abnormal growth of cells in the brain. And the brain tumour occurring in children is known as a pediatric brain tumour. The symptoms depend on the size, location, type, and growth rate of the tumour. The severity of the disease depends on its type and stage. It can either be benign or malignant.
Warning signs
Tumours can occur at any age, irrespective of whether the person is a child or an adult. Recognising the early signs can prove beneficial for the child because if it gets diagnosed at an early stage, treatment can be provided on time, which can save the patient. Symptoms and signs of pediatric brain tumour include:
- Persistent headaches that won’t go away easily are worse in the morning with an increase in intensity,
- Seizures with no known cause,
- Nausea leading to vomiting can be a sign if it happens in the morning after waking up,
- Loss of balance while walking or feeling weakness in one side of the body,
- Difficulty while speaking,
- Blurred vision,
- Irritant or depressed behaviour
- A fuller soft spot on the skull of infants,
- Sleepiness which is unusual, etc.
How are brain tumour cells formed?
A brain tumour starts to develop when the DNA of the brain cells starts to change. DNA helps to control the healthy cells and tells them what to do, whether to grow in number or to die and reduce. In a brain tumour, DNA asks the cells to grow rapidly, thus causing an increase in the number of tumour cells while reducing the number of healthy cells. The mass formed by the extra cells is known as a brain tumour.
Which children are at risk of having a brain tumour?
- Children with weak immune systems are at a high risk of developing this type of tumour as the body’s system, which is crucial for fighting away germs, gets weakened by illnesses. A pediatric brain tumour can occur if the child suffers from a medical condition or infection, or if he is taking a strong potency medication.
- Genetic syndromes such as Cowden syndrome, Turcot syndrome, Gorlin syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, and neurofibromatosis running in the family can pose a higher risk of brain tumours.
Diagnosis as well as treatment
The brain tumours found in children could be Astrocytomas, Ependymomas, Brainstem gliomas, Craniopharyngiomas, Choroid plexus tumour, and the most common type being Medulloblastomas. Pediatric brain tumours can not be prevented. Parents should not feel themselves to be the cause, as there is no specific reason behind what actually causes brain tumours in children. Experiencing similar symptoms raises the need to consult a neurologist. After medical consultation and physical as well as neurological exam, imaging techniques like MRI are done to diagnose brain tumours in children. A biopsy is done to test the tissue sample to determine if it has a tumour or not.
Treatments include
- Surgery,
- Chemotherapy,
- Radiation therapy and
- Targeted therapy.
Conclusion
A brain tumour affects the overall quality of life. Prompt and effective treatment options are available at Jhawar Hospital. We have renowned neurosurgeons for the treatment of brain tumours who, with their expertise, provide treatments tailored to individual patients’ needs. If your little one is experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you must reach out to Jhawar Hospital to ensure a timely diagnosis and speedy recovery after the treatment to live a tumour-free life.
