The first signs of brain cancer in children. Important information about brain cancer in children. Causes of brain tumors in children

If your child is also worried about vomiting in the morning, this is an alarm bell that makes parents wary. It is possible that trouble has come to your family and her name is a brain tumor. Symptoms in the early stages in children vary depending on where it is localized.

With the development of the disease, areas that affect the life of the child are affected. The further health and life of the child will depend on the timeliness of contacting a qualified specialist. Knowing the first symptoms of brain cancer in children, it is possible to diagnose the disease in time and begin treatment for further development.

Development and classification of the disease

Brain cancer in children is an infrequent oncological disease, accompanied by the appearance of malignant tumors both inside the skull and on its surface. The formation of tumors that form inside the cranium or spinal canal is provoked by uncontrolled cell division.

Neoplasms develop at a rapid pace, increasing in size and spreading to neighboring tissues. A benign brain tumor in children is located directly in the brain tissue, without spreading metastases to other organs. Limited by the space of the cranium, sooner or later the tumor degenerates into a cancerous one.

According to the main features, a brain tumor is divided into:

Primary. It develops initially from the tissues of the meninges.
Secondary. The root cause of the development of the tumor is neoplasms in other organs, which eventually gave metastases to the brain.

It is customary to distinguish 12 categories of brain tumors, the symptoms of which in children are divided depending on the composition of the cells. In total, there are about 100 types of the disease. The most common are neuroepithelial, pituitary, meningeal, dysembryogenetic, and non-brain lesions.

A neuroepithelial tumor develops from cells in the brain tissue. This type includes,. The neuroepithelial appearance accounts for about 60% of all malignant primary tumors.

Shell species are provoked by abnormal uncontrolled division of the brain membrane, pituitary species are formed in the process of pituitary cell division. Improper cell division during embryogenesis leads to the formation of dysembryogenetic tumors.

Symptoms of brain cancer in children are differentiated from healthy cells. The high similarity of neoplasms with the structure of healthy tissue facilitates diagnosis. If several levels of differentiation are detected, the development of an oncological disease is detected by infected cells. The offensive and rapid course of the disease is characteristic of cells that are not identical in structure.

Brain cancer in children: stages of development

The degree of development of the disease affects the life expectancy of the patient. A distinctive feature of brain cancer is the transformation of tissues in the central nervous system. To determine at what stage of development the disease is, it is necessary to carry out a number of additional diagnostic methods. According to the results of diagnostic studies, further treatment is determined.

There are 4 stages of development of brain cancer, and each is manifested by certain symptoms:

First or initial stage. When brain cancer is detected by symptoms in the early stages in children, doctors give a favorable prognosis. With timely treatment, a full recovery is possible. The first signs of a brain tumor do not particularly manifest themselves due to slow growth, so it is almost impossible to detect them.
Second stage. At this stage of development, the neoplasm grows, while affecting some structures of the brain. In the second stage, the signs of a brain tumor in children are more pronounced. There is nausea, headaches, increased blood pressure. In addition, it is difficult for a child to concentrate, his mood changes dramatically, memory lapses occur. If the tumor is not detected at this stage of development, the child's life is in serious danger.
Third stage. At this stage, the tumor actively grows, penetrating deeper into the tissues and the brain. Serious disturbances occur in the functioning of the nervous system. Signs of a brain tumor in children in the third stage of development are manifested by rapid weight loss, high fatigue, vomiting, and impaired coordination. In addition, hearing, vision, memory and speech deteriorate, numbness of the limbs and anemia are observed.
Fourth stage. At this stage of development, cancer cannot be treated: Irreversible changes occur in the body, and they affect not only the central nervous system, but also the organs that enter the area controlled by the part of the brain affected by tumors.

Brain cancer in children, in addition to the symptoms listed above, may be accompanied by complete or partial paralysis and impaired sense of smell. If the frontal lobe of the brain is affected, there is a personality defect.

Localization and frequency of tumors

Malignant neoplasms in children can be localized in the hemispheres, midline and posterior cranial fossa.

In the hemisphere, tumors of neuroectodermal origin (gliomas) develop, which are part of a heterogeneous group. They are diagnosed in 37% of patients.

In the midline of the brain, chiasmal gliomas are diagnosed in 4% of cases - tumor formations formed from glial cells that are located in the region of the optic nerve, in 8% - craniopharyngiomas, in 2% - tumors of the pineal gland.

In the posterior cranial fossa, brainstem gliomas and cerebellar astrocytomas are diagnosed with the same frequency (15%), medulloblastomas in 14%, and ependiomas in 4%.

In children, 80-90 percent are intracerebral. At the same time, they are most often located in the midline regarding the structures of the brain. In the first year of life, supratentorial tumors are more often detected in children.

Under the age of five, tumors of the cranial posterior fossa predominate, occurring more often in boys. In ten percent of cases of all neoplasms, tumors of the trunk are found. According to the histological type, brain tumors in children are of neuroectodermal origin within 70% of cases.

Of the primary neoplasms in childhood, benign tumors are more common. In frequency, they can yield only to leukemia. Neoplasms in 95% of cases affect the brain.

First symptoms

The most important symptom is the “tumor symptom complex”. It includes:

decreased appetite, which contributes to rapid weight loss;
fever for no reason;
pallor of the skin.

Attentive and caring parents will immediately note that:

the child began to get tired sooner;
quickly forget the received information;
became more and more naughty.

The clinical picture of the appearance of a tumor in children directly depends on the location of the neoplasm, its size, and the age of the baby.

Symptoms of a brain tumor in children

Stereotypical symptoms include:

pain in the head, although they are rather paroxysmal in nature. They are not amenable to treatment;
nauseating state;
vomiting, and without eating food;
impaired memory, gait, coordination;
hearing, vision, speech worsens;
numbness of the limbs;
soreness of the joints, bones;
nosebleeds;
excessive blood loss even with small cuts;
lymph nodes are enlarged;
violation of urination;
lag in the development of physical and mental;
regular seizures;
disorders of the endocrine system.

Characteristic features

Brain tumors in children are clinically different from how the disease progresses in adolescents and adults. In young children, early indicators remain unchanged:

These symptoms lead to prolonged phenomena of intracranial pressure. In older children, intracranial pressure is observed, and developmental delay is detected due to the divergence of the sutures of the skull.

In the smallest children, symptoms often appear on the head as a developed collateral mesh of veins. Combined with the increased size, tension and swelling of the fontanelles, leads to the diagnosis of symptoms that indicate the presence of a brain tumor.

Headaches are one of the most common signs in the early stages, indicating a possible tumor. Often these pains are intermittent. In young children, it is difficult to note a headache due to the fact that they still do not know how to speak. She is characterized by the periodic anxiety of the baby, when he cries piercingly, rubs his face with his hands, and brings his hands to his head.

Often with neoplasms, vomiting is noted among the symptoms. It can be of a different nature, accompanied by nausea or not. It is worth worrying especially if vomiting occurs in the early hours, when the child has just woken up or at lunchtime after sleep. In the initial stages of the disease, vomiting occurs no more than twice a week, during the height of the disease - more.

In slightly older children, vomiting can begin unpredictably, just because of a change in the position of the head. You need to know about this, if only in order to help the child in time and prevent vomit from entering the respiratory tract.

Signs in the early stages

With tumors that are located in the cranial posterior fossa, focal signs may be absent. The clinical picture is dominated by symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. Tumors that are localized in the hemispheres in the early stages of formation are often characterized by focal manifestations.

When, then it is characterized by impaired gait and balance.

Symptoms in the early stages:

violation of vertical balance, especially when walking;
a sharp change in mood, a change in character;
inability to concentrate.

Naturally, these signs may not always indicate the presence of a tumor; they may well indicate another disease. Nevertheless, when even one, and even more so all of the listed indicators appear, you should immediately consult a specialist. Only a specialist can accurately diagnose, prescribe the right treatment.

Glial neoplasms of various nature constitute the key part of stem tumors.

What is observed during the period of tumors of the brain stem:

most tumors of the trunk develop in childhood. In this case, nuclear formations are affected, as are the pathways of the trunk. Often, alternating syndromes are detected with the dominance of motor and sensory disorders on the other side, and on the side of the predominant location of the neoplasm, pronounced lesions of the cranial nerves;
tumors of the trunk can relatively rarely lead to a violation of the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid. This contributes to the late manifestations of the disease - hydrocephalus, intracranial hypertension;
neoplasms of the trunk of a benign nature are characterized by slow growth. They can develop for years without making themselves felt;
neoplasms of a malignant nature lead to the death of the patient. Life expectancy varies only because of the degree of malignancy.

Tumors can choose completely different parts of the trunk as localization sites, but most often they grow into the bridge.

For many years it was believed that stem neoplasms diffusely infiltrate all its textures, and therefore are not operable.

Recent studies have corrected this view more clearly. In addition to diffusely growing tumors, which make up the vast majority of all tumors, there are also nodular, limited, and cystic tumors.

Classification of neoplasms of the trunk:

primary education;

formations inside the trunk;
exophytic-stem formations.

secondary education;

those that spread through the cerebellar peduncle;
those that spread through the rhomboid fossa;
parastem formations;
narrowly fused formations;
deforming formations.

Group 1 includes those neoplasms that grow precisely from the tissue of the brain stem. The 2nd group includes tumors that appear from the cerebellum, and then grow into the trunk. Differences between them are noticeable from the very beginning of the disease.

If in group 1 stem dysfunction will be detected already at the onset of the disease, then in group 2 - stem symptoms join later. The highest importance of brain stem textures describes the severity of the condition of children during tumor growth.

Symptoms of a tumor

Stem neoplasms can occur in children of different ages. The peak incidence in the smallest falls on the period from 3 to 9 years.

The importance of the normal functioning of brainstem textures cannot be overemphasized. It is enough to notice that in the trunk there are nerve centers that regulate cardiac work and normalize breathing.

The brain stem is involved in eye movements, facial expressions, swallowing, speech and hearing.

Nerve fibers pass through the brainstem, which innervates the muscles of the body and limbs. Therefore, with a stem lesion, thousands of signs appear.

The onset of the disease depends on where the tumor grows from. The baby may show:

strabismus;
eye twitching;
facial asymmetry;
dizziness;
poor hearing;
muscle tendencies.

There may be a tremor of the hands, unsteady gait. With a long course of the disease, the severity of these symptoms will increase. This may only indicate an increase in the size of the tumor. If any of these signs appear, it is worthwhile to show the child to a specialist soon.

Diagnosis and treatment

An MRI of the brain is considered a more informative method of examination. This scanning method is not dangerous for the baby's body and makes it possible to detect even small tumors, all kinds of pathological formations.

Another diagnostic method is computed tomography.

Many years of experience of doctors has demonstrated that benign formations can be successfully removed. And then the operation performed will literally save the life of a small patient and significantly improve his well-being.

Ultrasound examination

Such tumors are diagnosed only in 20-25% of patients. In other cases, with diffusely growing gliomas, radiation therapy can be recommended.

Surgery always helps, but in this case, its possibilities are limited, since we are talking about the brain. Although in some cases, only surgical removal of the tumor can lead to stabilization of the disease and improvement in the general well-being of the patient.

And yet, for the majority of sick children, radiation therapy is considered the main method of treatment. Improvement of symptoms after such a procedure is observed in 75% of cases.

Chemotherapy is considered the second popular method for treatment. It consists in the introduction of intravenous special drugs against. It is also possible to take drugs orally.

All drugs, when they enter the body, begin to spread through the blood vessels, thus destroying cancer cells.

Surgical treatment of a brain tumor

This method is used as an adjunct therapy to surgical intervention.

In addition to these methods, the tumor may be exposed to ionizing radiation. X-rays are emitted using a special apparatus. They enter through the skin and destroy cancer cells.

A brain tumor in children occurs 7 times less frequently than in adults.

Despite this, this type of formation is very common among children, second only to leukemia. Moreover, the risk of abnormal formation in boys is slightly higher than in girls.

A brain tumor in children is characterized by tissue damage due to the formation and growth of pathological cells, which leads to a violation of the vital functions of the body. There are persistent changes in the work of the systems of organs that provide blood circulation, feelings, respiration, bone skeleton and muscles.

Often this disease begins to develop inside the brain, although it can also occur in the spinal cord. In childhood, there is a fairly high probability of developing a primary benign formation.

The main feature of the course of the disease in children is the rather rapid growth and rapid penetration of pathological cells into other tissues (typical for malignant neoplasms).

Causes

The exact factors that lead to the appearance of abnormal areas (gliomas) are not known.

There are only suggestions of possible causes that carry the risk of developing the disease:

Pathologies during intrauterine development of the embryo.
Predisposition to genetic diseases (if there were cases of illness in the family, this increases the likelihood of detecting it in the baby).
Damage to some genes (Turco syndrome, Gorlin syndrome, von Recklinghausen disease, tuberous sclerosis).
Head injury.
Carcinogenic and mutagenic substances, pesticides.
Bad ecology.
Hormonal imbalance.
Weakened immune system.
Exposure to radiation.
Some types of radiation (electromagnetic waves, infrared and microwave radiation).

There is no evidence of a direct influence of the above factors.

But it is known that they can act as catalysts for the development of the disease.

Common types of illness

The disease is conditionally divided into the following groups:

Benign formations are characterized by slow growth and development. There is no penetration of pathological formations into other healthy tissues. The main danger is that the glioma presses on nearby areas, thereby causing certain symptoms.
Malignant tumors are characterized by rapid growth and spread to other areas.
Primary - originated in the same organ.
Metastatic - originated in other organs and spread to the brain.

Under the age of 5 years, neoplasms of the cranial posterior fossa (medulloblastoma), trunk glioma, and astrocytoma are common in children. Less common are craniopharyngiomas and meningiomas.

Astrocytomas are formed from astrocyte cells (small star-shaped cells). Babies most often encounter pilocytic astrocytoma.

This type of neoplasm may appear:

in the cerebellum (dorsal region);
in the trunk;
in the optic nerve (in children).

A brain stem tumor is more common in children. Occurs in areas connected to the spine. There is a destruction of nuclear formations and conductive paths in the trunk area. It progresses rapidly, causing disturbances in the work of the nerve center. Glioma most often penetrates into the bridge of the trunk.

Medulloblastomas are neoplasms of the posterior cranial fossa. It spreads along the liquor routes. The disease is characterized by the absence of certain boundaries and the penetration of pathological cells through tissue barriers.

Neoplasms of the optic nerve occur in the tissues that connect the brain center with the eye (glial tissues). Glioma arises on the site of the optic nerve and grows along its course. Forms a knot that is isolated from surrounding tissues. Rarely grows into the cranial cavity. This type is characterized by an almost asymptomatic onset of the disease and its gradual development.

Craniopharyngioma is a benign, slow-growing cystic-epithelial neoplasm. This species is localized in the hypothalamic-pituitary region. It is formed from the remains of the germinal epithelium in Rathke's sac. Larger craniopharyngiomas can interfere with CSF circulation and, in some cases, cause hydrocephalus.

Germ cell tumors (germinogenic) consist of cells that were formed during the period of intrauterine development of the embryo. The future reproductive system develops from them. Provided that immature germ cells have not migrated to their proper place (in girls in the small pelvis, in boys in the scrotum), they can form gliomas in the head.

Main symptoms

Symptoms of a tumor in children depend on the age of the child and the location of the formation.

A typical tumor complex of symptoms includes:

headaches - are predominantly long-term paroxysmal in nature, do not respond to drug treatment;
vomiting - appears without prior nausea with increased headache;
deterioration in coordination of movements, change in gait;
tingling and numbness in the limbs;
developmental delay;
symptomatic epilepsy (loss of consciousness, convulsive muscle contractions);
dizziness;
enlarged lymph nodes;
mental disorders (aggressiveness, irritability);
regression in toilet habits (urinary or fecal incontinence);
loss of strength, drowsiness, loss of interest in favorite games and activities;
changes in speech - slow or, conversely, very fast speech, difficulties in pronouncing sounds, words, confused speech;
photophobia (acute sensitivity of the eyes to light, lacrimation);
increased bleeding;
visual impairment, hearing impairment.

Symptoms of a brain tumor in young children and infants have characteristic first signs.

These include:

the head increases in volume (excess of normal age indicators), changes occur in the shape of the skull;
there is a divergence of the sutures of the skull;
noticeable swelling and tension of the fontanel;
the collateral venous network increases;
there are changes in the movement of the eyeballs, strabismus;
convulsions are characteristic, movements of the arms and legs that were previously unusual for the child;
constant monotonous crying, which may indicate the presence of pain in the head.

Symptoms of the disease depending on its location

Pathological formations that are located in different parts of the body cause their characteristic symptoms, which facilitates the identification of their localization.

The formations formed in the frontal lobe are manifested by speech disorders (very fuzzy and rapid pronunciation of words), abnormal gait (unsteadiness, tendency to fall backwards and to the sides).
Signs of a tumor of the cerebellum: deterioration in coordination of movements (static and dynamic ataxia), decreased muscle tone, deviations to the side while walking.
In the presence of a neoplasm in the temporal lobe, there is a misunderstanding of the speech addressed to the patient, the absence of visual function in a limited area, convulsions.
Characteristic signs for abnormal formation in the occipital lobe are visual damage, the appearance of flashes and sparks in the eyes.
When localized on the basis of the organ, strabismus, a decrease in the sensitivity of the face, painful sensations on the skin of the face, changes in voluntary eye movements are manifested.
When localized in the area of the Turkish saddle (formation in the body of the sphenoid bone of the skull in the form of a depression), a deterioration in smell, active regulation of somatotropic hormone, resulting in the growth of hands and feet, hyperhidrosis, palpitations, damage to the regulation of water-salt metabolism are characteristic.

With a stem tumor, the main symptoms are:

dizziness;
hearing loss;
strabismus, diplopia (double vision), changes in eye movement;
twitching of the eyeballs;
muscle hypotension;
weakness of facial muscles (facial asymmetry);
change in respiratory rhythm;
problems in the work of the organs of the cardiovascular system.

With education, which is localized in the region of the ventricle, there is nausea, severe vomiting, dizziness (a feeling of the earth leaving under the feet, rotation of objects, falling into an abyss), nystagmus (involuntary pendulum movements of the eyes).

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnosis requires a set of procedures and measures.

A neurological examination is performed to identify disorders of the central nervous system. The basic reactions of the baby (auditory, visual, tactile) are checked. Such an examination helps to determine the location of the neoplasm.

Thanks to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an image of the abnormal area can be obtained. Under the influence of radio waves and magnetic fields, the organ is scanned, which allows you to see even the smallest pathological changes. To determine the presence of abnormalities in the medulla, contrast is used (the introduction of a special substance that creates a contrast image).

Computed tomography (CT) is a method of radiation diagnostics in which the projections of x-rays are analyzed by a computer. The image obtained in this way is more detailed than with radiography.

A biopsy involves taking a small piece of pathological tissue to establish whether the neoplasm is benign or malignant.

This procedure is most often done under MRI or CT guidance to ensure accurate needle penetration.

Spinal puncture is used to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and its further laboratory analysis.

This method allows you to measure the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid in the canal, to introduce chemicals into the spinal canal.

To diagnose the disease in young children, they also use a fundus check (to detect stagnation of the nipples of the optic nerve) and ultrasound, while the fontanelles are open.

Therapy of the disease

Treatment is carried out using three main methods.

Surgical intervention.
Radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy.

In combination with these methods, additional methods can be used.

Such as:

immune therapy;
hormone therapy;
radiosurgery.

The main method of treatment is surgery, while the rest are used as auxiliary. The operation will be successful if the child's brain tumor is benign.

Pathological formation can be removed completely or partially (due to its inconvenient location).

At the same time, the procedure carries a lot of side effects for small patients, such as the appearance of postoperative edema or cysts.

Healthy areas are damaged, which entails the loss of some organ functions. The operation cannot be performed if there is a lesion of the trunk, where the vital centers are located.

Radiation therapy is used if surgery is contraindicated (not prescribed for children under 3 years of age). A certain amount of tissue is selected to be irradiated. Due to ionizing radiation, a large number of mutations develop in pathological areas, provoking their death. The consequences of such therapy can be:

damage to healthy tissues;
nausea, vomiting;
hair loss;
skin reactions (redness, swelling).

Chemotherapy is treatment with the help of chemicals. It can be prescribed both before and after surgery, and sometimes is the only acceptable treatment.

The use of chemotherapy before surgery can reduce the size of the abnormal formation in order to maximize the integrity of the membranes.

After surgery, such therapy is used to stop or inhibit metastases and relapses. Chemicals are administered through drips or intravenously. To achieve the maximum effect, chemotherapy is carried out in a course.

Important to remember

Ignoring the signs of illness can cost your life! Parents need to recognize the symptoms in time and seek medical help as soon as possible. And in no case should you despair if the doctors have given the baby a dangerous diagnosis. In childhood, the cure for the disease is much more successful than in adults.

Intracranial neoplasms are common. Out of 1000 oncologies, 15 have similar localization. Intracranial volumetric formations threaten human health and life. If you do not start treatment in time, the consequence is an inevitable death.

Causes of a brain tumor

The disease can be secondary or primary. If there is oncology, the blood flow spreads cancer cells throughout the body, a secondary disease begins to develop. It is not considered as independent. The causes leading to the emergence of primary pathology are poorly understood. The only established culprit of the disease is radiation. Other risk factors do not have full scientific confirmation in neurology.

Causes of oncology:

Heredity (Gorlin's, Turco's syndromes).
Papillomas type 16, 18.
Age features (in children 3–12 years old, adults over 45).
Violations of intrauterine development.
Radiation (electromagnetic, beam).

There are other factors that provoke the development of neoplasms. A primary brain tumor often appears as a result of inflammatory processes in the body, a decrease in immunity. The factors listed above, as a rule, do not lead to the occurrence of a volumetric malignant formation, but can become its catalyst under certain accompanying circumstances.

Classification

Brain neoplasms account for up to 5% of all brain lesions. They are grouped according to the degree of malignancy, localization (trunk, hypothalamus, cerebellum), histological composition and other properties. Based on histology, brain tumors are divided into 4 groups. Each is assigned an ICD code. According to statistics, up to 60% of neoplasms are oncological.

Classification of neoplasmsby the name of the affected tissue:

Neurinomas. Formations in the cranial and paraspinal nerves.
Meningiomas. Neoplasms in the meninges.
Neuroepithelial formations:

astrocytomas;
oligodendrogliomas;
gliomas;
glial formations;
gliosarcomas;
glioblastoma;
gangliogliomas;
anaplastic ependymoma;
pineoblastoma, etc.

benign

Such diseases (dermoid cyst, cystic-solid neoplasms, etc.) require no less attention than cancer. A tumor in the brain can be benign or malignant, but such a division is very conditional. The volume of the cranium is small. The cells of a benign formation, growing, crowd nearby tissues. Because of this, intracranial pressure increases, significant nerve centers are damaged.

benign brain tumor, like cancer, is dangerous for the human body. Regardless of the variety, it is required to identify a head tumor in a timely manner, to begin treating the sick person. In this case, a positive prognosis is often given. Half of all benign neoplasms are successfully treated, but if nothing is done, there is a possibility of its degeneration into oncology.

Malignant

Cancer is prone to proliferation, rarely curable. The prognosis is always serious. There are no effective ways to prevent cancer, it is difficult to diagnose and cure. Volumetric formations are divided into 4 classes. Stage III and IV cancer poses the greatest threat. It is growing rapidly, often becoming multiform. Unlike oncology in other parts of the body,malignant brain tumornot prone to metastasis. The rapid spread of pathological cells in the organ itself is not excluded.

Symptoms

The disease manifests itself in a variety of ways. It all depends on the area of damage, the size of the neoplasm. The main symptom is pain. Others are also observedsigns:

pathology of motor activity;
high pressure (intracranial, ocular);
deterioration of vision and hearing;
depression, euphoria;
dizziness;
vomit;
loss of appetite, etc.

At an early stage

Often the occurrence of pathology does not manifest itself. Often, the disease is detected by specialists by accident (during tomography, at autopsy). The first signs become noticeable when an overgrown tumor in the head begins to compress nearby tissues. Under the influence of the neoplasm, intracranial arterial hypertension (high blood pressure) develops.

Symptoms of a brain tumor in the early stages are:

pain (80% of cases);
blurred vision (70%);
dizziness (50%);
convulsive syndrome (30%).

Headaches

Cephalgia (headache) is a common condition. The question arises,like a headache with a brain tumor.It is possible to distinguish this symptom from the manifestations of other pathologies only by knowing its signs:

constant pain has a pulsating character;
the intensity increases with a change in position, coughing, blowing your nose, small stresses;
the pain intensifies in the morning, decreases during the day;
intensity, as with a migraine;
painkillers are ineffective.

The manifestation of symptoms intensifies in the morning, because fluid accumulates in the tissues of the affected organ during the night, causing swelling. Often, a headache is accompanied by confusion, fainting, and other symptoms. No need to waste time on traditional methods of treatment. If the symptoms do not disappear after three days, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnostics

First, a neurological examination is performed. The doctor will check how the organs function, the activity of which depends on specific parts of the brain. During a neurological examination, studies are carried out:

reflexes (knee, pupillary, corneal, etc.);
hearing;
tactile sensitivity;
motor functions;
coordination.

Further diagnosticscarried out using:

Different types of X-ray studies (CT, MRI, pneumography, angiography). So determine the exact location, the direction of growth of the neoplasm, the histological composition.
PET (positron emission tomography). The method helps to recognize the degree of development of a brain tumor.
Neurosonography is a type of ultrasound. It is done to a child if the baby is not one year old.
SPECT (single photon emission CT).
EEG (electroencephalography).
MEG (magnetoencephalography).
Lumbar puncture, which is designed to examine the cerebrospinal fluid.
Biopsy - obtaining a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope. This analysis allows you to determine the type of neoplasm cells.

Removal of a brain tumor

The preferred treatment for the disease is surgery. Due to the isolation of the neoplasm, the drugs do not reach the goal. Drug therapy is used only for temporary relief of the patient's well-being, along with surgical methods. Complete, partial or two-stage removal of the formation is possible. If the neoplasm cannot be completely eliminated, for example, with inoperable neoplastic cancer of the last degree, palliative operations are used to alleviate the patient's condition, reducing the pressure of the tumor and fluid on the brain.

Removal of neoplasms is carried out in the form of:

stereotaxic method;
craniotomy;
endoscopic trepanation;
getting rid of individual cranial bones.

Surgery to remove a tumorperformed using advanced surgical techniques. It is possible to carry out non-invasive and minimally invasive interventions. This reduces the risk of complications and improves prognosis. Radiosurgery (gamma and cyber knives) is often used to remove a brain tumor. With the help of radiation, tumor cells are destroyed without injuring healthy tissues. After the removal of the formation, the patient is assigned a course of rehabilitation.

Video

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give recommendations for treatment based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

Did you find an error in the text? Select it, press Ctrl + Enter and we'll fix it!

A benign or malignant growth of tissue inside the skull is a brain tumor.

Today, out of 10,000 children, every 1,000th child is diagnosed with this pathology.

Every year there are more and more cases of the disease. In terms of frequency, it may soon become equal to leukemia.

Due to the growth of the neoplasm, the brain areas that control the vital functions of the child's body are affected.

The cause of the disease is that the cells of certain parts of the brain begin to divide incorrectly. The earlier a tumor is detected, the more likely it is to restore and maintain the normal functionality of all body systems. Therefore, it is important to know the signs of the disease at an early stage of its development. If a brain tumor develops, the symptoms in children can be diverse, it all depends on the location of the neoplasm.

Symptoms in children such as irritability and moodiness are mental disorders that a brain tumor can cause.

Mental disorders appear due to damage to the brain by a tumor, due to cerebral edema, increased intracranial pressure.

Some children display unchildish behavior.

Others become apathetic and foolish.

At school, they start conflicts because of irritability. Gradually they lose interest in studying, then in the game.

Due to cerebral edema, babies feel unwell, weak. They may have a headache, therefore, especially in the evenings, they are very capricious.

If a child is often naughty, irritated over trifles, there is no need to get angry at him and scold him - perhaps the reason for this behavior is not a bad character, but a pathological process in the brain. You need to consult a pediatrician.

Nausea and vomiting

If the neoplasm is located in the region of the posterior cranial fossa, the child vomits.

Most often this happens in the morning, when he has not eaten anything yet. Vomiting is distinguished by its suddenness.

The feeling of nausea does not always precede it. Vomiting is also possible with other localization of the tumor.

In adults, a vomiting attack is preceded by a headache that weakens or disappears after it; in children, “cerebral” vomiting has an isolated character. Headache due to a tumor in a child is usually absent, because the bones of his skull are malleable.

Decreased or impaired vision

In children with tumors in the brain, opto-retino-neuritis is diagnosed. This syndrome has three forms:

Retinal neurons and optic nerve are not atrophied. Ophthalmoscopy reveals hyperemia, swelling, prominence of the optic nerve head. In the retina, hemorrhages are noticeable, the veins are dilated. If the tumor is benign and grows slowly or is located paraventricularly, the symptoms are mild. With a malignant neoplasm, as well as a tumor that blocks the liquor pathways, the symptoms are more pronounced.
Secondary atrophy of the nerve cells of the retina and optic nerve. This form of the syndrome appears if the tumor grows very quickly. The retina and optic nerve are greatly swollen. There is venous hyperemia of the optic disc, plasma leakage, hemorrhage. If the intraocular pressure is high for 2-3 months, the retinal neurons atrophy, and then the optic nerve itself.
Atrophy of the nerve cells of the retina is secondary, the optic nerve is primary. Vision is rapidly deteriorating, although changes in the fundus are minor. The tumor has a direct effect on the visual pathways, which affects the state of the optic nerve, and fiber neurons atrophy due to the development of local hypertension.

Violation of the blood supply to the brain in old age is a common problem. Hence the diagnosis - encephalopathy of the brain. Here we will talk about the risk factors for the development of the disease and methods for their elimination.

Trouble walking

A tumor located in the cerebellum causes problems when walking.

The child's gait may become "drunk", with frequent stumbling.

Coordination and balance are disturbed: it is difficult for the child to keep vertical balance when walking. Falls out of the blue are not uncommon.

Speech and memory changes

If a child can speak, but periodically this ability disappears: instead of words, he mumbles, utters meaningless combinations of sounds, most likely, he develops a tumor in the left hemisphere of the brain. The patient can also hear noise instead of the speech of the people around him, not understanding the words.

The tumor causes psychomotor changes: memory is disturbed, it is difficult for the child to focus on anything, he is absent-minded and irritable.

convulsions

With a supratentorial tumor, especially if it is malignant, non-epileptic seizures are possible. Often attacks occur due to a strong increase in intracranial pressure. Over time, they can become epileptic in nature.

epileptic seizures

In 50 percent of cases of brain tumors in children, epileptic seizures are observed.

A neoplasm provokes an increase in the excitability of a certain area of \u200b\u200bthe brain.

If the tumor is located in the region of the posterior cranial fossa, "cerebellar" seizures are possible. They are characterized by opisthotonus, which is accompanied by impaired breathing, cardiac activity and consciousness.

If the doctor was not at such a convulsion, according to the symptoms listed by the people who were next to the child at the time of the seizure, it is difficult for him to judge whether the seizure was cerebellar or large convulsive.

Convulsive seizures, in children, unlike adults, are not always signals of brain tumors.

However, such a seizure may precede the appearance of signs of a tumor, so after it a thorough neurological examination of the child is necessary.

loss of consciousness

A neoplasm in the brain compresses its tissues and prevents the passage of impulses through them.

Brain tissues begin to work at the limit of their capabilities: the tumor compresses the blood vessels, and the supply of blood cells is disrupted. As a result, the child loses consciousness.

This condition can also occur due to irritation by the neoplasm of the areas of the cerebral cortex responsible for the sensitivity of the organs.

Nosebleeds

The cause of nosebleeds in a child may be an increase in intracranial pressure due to a brain tumor.

Respiratory disorders

When the neoplasm is located in the medulla oblongata, respiratory disorders occur. The same symptom is characteristic of a tumor in the region of the IV ventricle. Respiratory dysfunction is observed during a seizure.

endocrine disorders

A tumor located in the pituitary gland can provoke endocrine disorders in the child's body.

For example, the cessation of its growth, untimely sexual development, etc.

Endocrine disorders are caused by craniopharyngioma. This is a benign neoplasm characterized by very slow growth.

In the first phase of development (phase length from 2.5 to 4.5 years), the tumor is located within the Turkish saddle and causes endocrine disorders: dwarfism, obesity of the hips and lower body in boys (female type of obesity) or pathological thinness of the whole body.

Due to the neoplasm, secondary sexual characteristics develop slowly, hypotension is observed.

Endocrine disorders are signs of pituitary insufficiency.

Features of the clinical picture of a brain tumor in a child

For a long time there are no signs of the disease: in children it has a latent course.

So the tumor grows to a significant size and begins to manifest itself with cerebral symptoms.

Neoplasms appear in cells that have not yet reached a mature form.

The asymptomatic course of the disease at the first stage of its development is due to the good adaptability of the child's body: the lost parts of the analyzers affected by the tumor are easily replaced, and the cranial cavity increases, since it is still plastic, and its bone sutures are not overgrown.

The head of a small child due to a brain tumor becomes spherical or asymmetric (the side where the neoplasm is located may be larger), a network of veins is clearly visible on it, the fontanel is tense or swollen.

Older children complain of frequent headaches caused by high intracranial pressure.

Since we are talking about the brain, any neoplasm in it, be it benign or malignant, is very dangerous: growing, it compresses the neighboring tissues of the organ, which was created by nature in order to control all systems in the human body.