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Overview of Central Nervous System Tumors in Children

By

Kee Kiat Yeo

, MD, Harvard Medical School

Reviewed/Revised Jan 2023
View PATIENT EDUCATION

Central nervous system tumors are the most common solid cancer in children < 15 years old and are the leading cause of childhood death due to cancer. Diagnosis is typically by imaging (usually MRI) and biopsy. Treatment may include surgical resection, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the leading cause of cancer mortality in children, accounting for 30% of deaths (1 Reference Central nervous system tumors are the most common solid cancer in children < 15 years old and are the leading cause of childhood death due to cancer. Diagnosis is typically by imaging (usually... read more ). The cause of most childhood central nervous system tumors is unknown, but two established risk factors are ionizing radiation (eg, high-dose cranial irradiation) and specific genetic syndromes (eg, neurofibromatosis Neurofibromatosis Neurofibromatosis refers to several related genetic disorders that have overlapping clinical manifestations. It causes various types of benign or malignant tumors that involve central or peripheral... read more Neurofibromatosis ).

The most common central nervous system tumors in children are (in order)

Reference

  • 1. Curtin SC, Minino AM, Anderson RN: Declines in cancer death rates among children and adolescents in the United States, 1999–2014. NCHS Data Brief (257):1–8, 2016.

Symptoms and Signs of CNS Tumors in Children

Increased intracranial pressure is the cause of the most common manifestations, which include

  • Headache

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Irritability

  • Lethargy

  • Changes in behavior

  • Gait and balance disorders

Other common symptoms are related to tumor location, including vision loss and seizures.

Diagnosis of CNS Tumors in Children

  • MRI

  • Biopsy

MRI is the imaging test of choice because it provides more detailed images of parenchymal tumors and can detect tumors within the posterior fossa, subarachnoid spaces, and the arachnoid and pia mater. CT may be done but is less sensitive and less specific.

Once imaging confirms the presence of a brain tumor, a biopsy is needed in a majority of cases to confirm the diagnosis and to determine tumor type and grade. The World Health Organization (WHO) has created a commonly used classification system (2021) that includes molecular and histologic information to further classify central nervous system tumors.

Once a diagnosis is made and tumor histology is determined, staging and risk assessment are then determined. Staging (determination of whether the tumor has spread) includes an MRI of the entire spine, a lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid cytology, and a postoperative MRI to assess for any residual tumor. Risk assessment is based on age, degree of residual tumor, molecular findings, and evidence of spread of disease.

Treatment of CNS Tumors in Children

  • Surgical resection

  • Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination

Treatment approach depends on the diagnosis, grade, stage, and risk assessment. In general, after initial surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or both may be required.

Entry into a clinical trial, if available, should be considered for all children with a CNS tumor. Optimal treatment requires a multidisciplinary team of pediatric oncologists, pediatric neuro-oncologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, neuropathologists, neuroradiologists, and radiation oncologists who have experience treating CNS tumors in children. Because radiation therapy for CNS tumors is technically demanding, children should be sent to centers that have experience in this area if possible.

More Information

The following English-language resources may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.

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NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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