Tumors of the central nervous system constitute the second most common cancer of childhood.
Tumors can occur in any portion of the brain and spinal cord and can be benign or malignant.
If the tumor develops in the spinal cord, children can develop numbness, weakness, incontinence, or difficulty walking. When a tumor is suspected, the first step is neuroimaging. Usually MRI scanning with and without a contrast agent is the preferred study. The contrast agent is a drug given intravenously which can provide additional detail of the tumor and surrounding nervous system structures. Once the MRI is completed, treatment decisions are made.