For additional information, see cancer resources.

About 3 out of 4 children survive at least 5 years after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Long-term brain and nervous system problems may result from the tumor itself, or from treatment.

• Children may have problems with attention and concentration, memory, processing information, planning, insight, initiative or desire to do things, and the ability to stay organized and on-task.
• Children younger than age 7 (and especially those younger than age 3) appear to have the greatest risk for these problems.

Parents need to make sure that children receive needed support services at home and school.

• Brain herniation (often fatal)
• Loss of ability to interact or function
• Permanent, worsening, severe brain and nervous system (neurological) problems
• Side effects related to chemotherapy and radiation
• Tumor returns (relapse)

Call a health care provider if a child develops persistent headaches or other symptoms of a brain tumor.

Go to the emergency room if a child has a seizure that is unusual or suddenly develops stupor (reduced alertness), vision changes, or speech changes.

Images

Brain

Primary brain tumor

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Review Date: 12/28/2010
Reviewed By: Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)