The intent is to provide you with general information about pediatric brain tumors. For more detailed information or information regarding your child's specific case you should consult a physician. Fortunately, brain tumors in children are rare. Approximately 2900 children are diagnosed each year in the United States with a brain tumor. Unfortunately, the progress in finding a cure has been very slow.
Brain tumors are the leading cause of death amongst the childhood cancers.
And for those surviving the illness there may be life long complications as a result of the treatment or damage from the tumor itself. Coordinated care by a team of pediatric experts in the management of childhood brain tumors is necessary to maximize a child's optimal outcome. They usually occur in the cerebellum and when they do they are referred to as medulloblastoma. This is a malignant tumor which is very fast growing and often has spread within the central nervous system before diagnosis. Although the tumor can spread outside of the central nervous system it is very rare.