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Binita PriyambadaJune 08, 2019 20:10:11 IST
Brain tumors are relatively rare in adults. However, in children, they contribute to a greater proportion of all tumors. According to the Brain Tumors Foundation of India, brain tumors are the second most common type of cancer after leukemia in children under 12 years of age.
There is also a difference in site of origin, tumor type and behavior of brain tumors in the adult and the child. In adults, tumor metastases in other parts of the body, or a secondary tumor, are quite common, whereas children most often develop primary brain tumors from the brain himself. Even primitive brain tumors of adults and children differ: adults have more tumors in the upper brain, which affects memory, behavior, etc., while children have more tumors in the lower brain and the back of the brain, which affects their movement, their coordination abilities and their vision, etc.
Fortunately, survival rates for children are better than adults for this dreaded disease. In adults, the 5-year survival rate with brain metastases is less than 5% and that of primary brain tumors about 30%. In comparison, more than 50% of children with brain tumors are cured with current age-specific treatment protocols in developed countries. Of course, the characteristics of the tumor such as the cells of origin and the degree of aggressiveness, as well as the stage at the time of diagnosis, affect survival. For example, gliomas, which account for nearly 50% of all CNS tumors in children and adolescents, have a 75-85% survival rate at age 5, while the most aggressive tumors in children, like glioblastoma, have a survival rate of 20 to 25%. only.
Image of representation. Courtesy of image: MaxPixel
What are the risk factors for brain tumors in children?
Brain tumors have no specific cause or lifestyle risk factors. But having a family history of brain tumors can increase the risk for children. In addition, children with genetic diseases such as neurofibromatosis or tuberous sclerosis are at higher risk of developing brain tumors. Physical examinations and frequent diagnostic tests are often recommended to make sure that a tumor can be detected very early.
What are the alarm signals for a brain tumor in children?
Early diagnosis contributing to better survival, the logical question is which signs and what symptoms should alert us for screening a child for cancer in a child. The most common symptoms are headache, vomiting, blurred vision, swelling or eye growth. There are defined criteria that doctors use to have a child examined by brain imaging (MRI or CT scan generally), for example:
- A headache that lasts for more than 4 weeks, with one of these complaints
- Wake a sleep child
- Occurs upon waking
- Occurs in a child
- Vomiting on awakening a few times, without gastrointestinal disturbance
- Movement problems, such as weakness of movement of the face, arms or legs, abnormal walking or lack of coordination
- Problems related to vision, such as a new strabismus, an inability to see in a particular direction, a wandering eye, and so on. Get seizures for the first time without any fever
What are the treatment options?
The treatment of brain tumors is essentially based on surgery and radiotherapy. Most brain tumors in adults do not respond well to chemotherapy. However, although well tolerated by adults, radiation can hinder the normal development of the child's brain and lead to life-long complications. In addition, brain tumors in children respond better to chemotherapy. As a result, radiation is increasingly being avoided and chemotherapy is being added to the protocols for treating brain tumors in children.
A 5 year old boy with a brain tumor is lying on a stretcher while he arrives with his parents. Reuters
What research and innovations are taking place in the region?
Better treatment options are explored, each focusing on a different aspect of tumor cell behavior, the brain itself or the surgical technique, and so on.
While molecular research seeks to identify proteins whose supply, if interrupted, will reduce the growth or even survival of tumor cells, genetic research attempts to identify the altered genetic sequences in tumor cells as a target of gene therapy.
More refined surgical techniques such as endoscopic surgery, etc. increase the scope and accuracy of surgery, while a better identification of tumor cells is under study with techniques such as stimulated Raman scattering microscopy.
We hope to be able to save more and more children from brain tumors over the next two or three decades, just as we have managed to improve survival in the most prevalent childhood cancer, leukemia.
Dealing with emotional turmoil
It could be heartbreaking for parents to know that their child has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. They may have a lot of trouble explaining the situation to the child. However, to be honest, it is imperative to give the child all the details according to his emotional maturity. This will help the child understand why he is following this treatment.
We must also try to contact and talk to parents and children who have already faced such a situation. This can help you understand how to stay emotionally stable and strong during this recovery trip.
The author is a senior consultant in the docprime.com medical team.
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