What is pediatric brain tumors?

6 February 2024

These are abnormal cell growths in the brain or adjacent tissues, which can be benign or cancerous.

The cause of childhood brain tumors is unknown, but spontaneous or hereditary genetic mutations are likely responsible for the formation of these tumors, as well as the presence of certain conditions or syndromes.

Childhood brain tumors represent the second most common group of cancer in children, mainly between 5 and 10 years old, who may be susceptible to spreading to other brain areas or the spinal cord.

There are various types of childhood brain tumors, medulloblastoma being the most common, but the following can also occur:

Choroid plexus carcinoma.
Craniopharyngiomas.
Ependymoma.
Gliomas
Pineoblastoma.
Embryonic tumors.

Signs and symptoms Pediatric brain tumors

The symptoms depend on the type of tumor, location, and severity, but usually include:

Seizures.
Lack of energy.
Half of the face weakened.
Lack of balance and coordination.
Irritability and mood swings.
Recurrent and intense headaches.
Nausea.
Lack of appetite.
Swallowing difficulties.
Pressure in the head.
Hearing alterations.
Double vision and other eye problems.
Vomit.

Diagnosis and treatment Pediatric brain tumors

Once the doctor analyzes the symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination of the child and request a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as a neurological examination, MRI, CT scan, lumbar puncture, and tissue biopsy.

The treatment to be followed will depend on the type of tumor, age, location, grade, and extension. Surgery or one of the following therapeutic options may be performed to remove the tumor:

Radiation therapy.
Stereotactic radiosurgery.
Proton beam therapy.
Targeted therapy.
Chemotherapy.

At the Pediatric Center, we provide specialized care to children from birth to adulthood, through our pediatric care, oncology, neurology, and cardiology services at the level of the best medical centers in the world.

Related centers and departments Pediatric brain tumors

Pediatrics Center
Internal Medicine
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory
Cancer Center

Fuentes:

cancer.gov
cáncer.net
aeped.es
nicklauschildrens.org
tmcaz.com
kidshealth.org
mayoclinic.org
middlesexhealth.org
msdmanuals.com
medigraphic.com
Rodríguez RC, Orozco CA, Liu WYC. Consideraciones generales de la radioterápia en los tumores cerebrales pediátricos. Rev Med Cos Cen. 2014;71(609):165-171.
Sánchez-Sánchez LM, Vázquez-Moreno J, Heredia-Delgado JA, et al. Presentación clínica de tumores intracraneales supratentoriales (ST) e infratentoriales (IT) en pacientes pediátricos. Gac Med Mex. 2016;152(2):158-162.
Chico-Ponce LF, Castro-Sierra E, Perezpeña-Diazconti M, et al. Tumores intracraneanos del niño. Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex. 2006;63(6):367-381.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the Saludora Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is pediatric brain tumors?

Signs and symptoms Pediatric brain tumors

Diagnosis and treatment Pediatric brain tumors

Related centers and departments Pediatric brain tumors

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Pediatric brain tumors