National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Childhood Brain Tumors is the National Cancer Institute
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine 
National Institutes of Health
Childhood Brain Tumors
Brain tumors are growths inside your skull. They are among the most common types of childhood cancers. Some are benign tumors, which aren't cancer. They can still be serious. Malignant tumors are cancerous.
Symptoms of a brain tumor might include
- Headache
- Vomiting and nausea
- Personality changes
- Depression
- Trouble controlling muscles
- Seizures
- Vision or speech problems
Treatment for children is sometimes different than for an adult. Long-term side effects are an important issue. The options also depend on the type of tumor and where it is. Removal of the tumor is often possible. If not, radiation, chemotherapy or both may be used.
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Start Here
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Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- What Are Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children?(American Cancer Society)
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Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors (PDQ): Treatment
The top row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Basics
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Learn More
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Multimedia & Cool Tools
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For group Basics
For group Learn More
For group Multimedia & Cool Tools
The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Research
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Reference Shelf
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For You
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For group Research
For group Reference Shelf
For group For You
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Overviews
- Brain Tumors(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
- Detailed Guide: Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children(American Cancer Society)
- Pediatric Brain Tumors(American Brain Tumor Association)
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Latest News
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FDA Approves First Drug Formulated for Children with Rare Brain Tumor(09/21/2012, Food and Drug Administration)
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- How Are Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children Diagnosed?(American Cancer Society)
- Symptoms of Pediatric Brain or Spinal Cord Tumors(Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation)
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Treatment
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Childhood Astrocytomas (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
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Childhood Brain Stem Glioma (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
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Childhood Central Nervous System Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
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Childhood Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
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Childhood Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)
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Childhood Craniopharyngioma (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
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Childhood Ependymoma (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Radiation Therapy (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
- Treatment of Pediatric Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors(Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation)
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Childhood Astrocytomas (PDQ): Treatment
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Prevention/Screening
- What Are the Risk Factors for Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children?(American Cancer Society)
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Alternative Therapy
- Complementary Therapy and Healthy Eating(Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation)
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Rehabilitation/Recovery
- Follow-Up Treatment and Rehabilitation(Children's Brain Tumor Foundation)
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Coping
- Feelings(Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation)
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Specific Conditions
- Astrocytoma(American Society of Clinical Oncology)
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Choroid Plexus(American Brain Tumor Association)
- Desmoplastic Infantile Ganglioma - Childhood(American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumor (DNT)(Children's Hospital Boston)
- Glioblastoma Multiforme and Anaplastic Astrocytoma(Children's Hospital Boston)
- Medulloblastoma(American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Oligodendroglioma(Children's Hospital Boston)
- Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma(Children's Hospital Boston)
- Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors (PNET)(Children's Hospital Boston)
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Related Issues
- At the Hospital(Children's Brain Tumor Foundation)
- Education Issues(Children's Brain Tumor Foundation)
- Educational Late Effects(Children's Brain Tumor Foundation)
- Family Support Program(Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation)
- Going Home(Children's Brain Tumor Foundation)
- Issues to Consider When Choosing a Brain Tumor Treatment Center(National Brain Tumor Society) - PDF
- What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Your Child's Brain or Spinal Cord Tumor?(American Cancer Society)
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Young People with Cancer: A Handbook for Parents(National Cancer Institute)
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Pictures & Photographs
- Craniotomy - slideshow
- Also available in Spanish
- Return to top
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Videos
- Closure of Dural Defects after Tumor Resection: Effective Use of Sealants and Collagen Duraplasty(OR-Live) - Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 4/20/2011
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Financial Issues
- Advice for Dealing with Your Insurance Company(Children's Brain Tumor Foundation)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Childhood Brain Tumors(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Childhood Brain Tumors
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Research
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Childhood Cancers(National Cancer Institute)
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FDA Approves First Drug Formulated for Children with Rare Brain Tumor(Food and Drug Administration)
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Childhood Cancers
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Dictionaries/Glossaries
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Dictionary of Cancer Terms(National Cancer Institute)
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Dictionary of Cancer Terms
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Directories
- Brain Tumor Survivor Late Effects Clinics(Children's Brain Tumor Foundation)
- Find a Treatment Center(National Brain Tumor Society)
- Find an Oncologist(American Society of Clinical Oncology)
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Organizations
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Newsletters/Print Publications
- Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation Newsletters(Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation)
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Statistics
- Facts about Pediatric Brain Tumors(Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation)
- What Are the Key Statistics about Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children?(American Cancer Society)
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Teenagers
- Types of Cancer Teens Get(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
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Patient Handouts
- After chemotherapy - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
- Brain surgery
- Also available in Spanish
- Brain surgery - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
- Brain tumor - children
- Also available in Spanish
- Eating extra calories when you are sick - children
- Also available in Spanish
- Head MRI
- Also available in Spanish
- Stereotactic radiosurgery - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
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MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
