Pediatric Oncology and Nursing

Brain Tumor in Children

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Astrocytomas form from star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. They can be cancerous and low-grade (more common in children) or high-grade (more common in adults). Ependymomas are cancerous tumors that form from part of the central nervous system called the ependyma. They also can be low-grade or high-grade. Brainstem gliomas form in the tissue of the brainstem, the part of the brain that connects to the spine. They can be cancerous and are typically high-grade and fast-growing. Medulloblastomas or primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are cancerous, high-grade tumors that start in the posterior fossa, a part of the brain near the base of the skull. Craniopharyngiomas are non-cancerous tumors that form at the base of the brain near the pituitary gland. Germ cell tumors usually form in the testes or ovaries but can also form in the brain and central nervous system. They can be cancerous. Pontine gliomas are cancerous, high-grade tumors that form in a part of the brainstem called the pons. Optic nerve gliomas form in or around the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. Most optic nerve gliomas are noncancerous and slow-growing.