Brain cancers account for 15% of pediatric cancers. The symptoms depend on the location of the tumor. Since the brain controls learning, memory, senses (hearing, visual, smell, taste, touch), emotions, muscles, organs, and blood vessels, the presentation of symptoms varies accordingly. Since young children often do not complain of the symptoms, parents must rely on their own observations of their child to be aware of signs and symptoms.
Brain tumors are treated with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Depending on the type of tumor and the promptness of diagnosis, the 5 year survival rate is 40-80%.
Signs and Symptoms
a seizure not related to high fever
staring, repetitive automatic movements
persistent vomiting without any known cause (projectile vomiting), nausea
progressive weakness or clumsiness; neck tilt, squint
walking, balance problems
precocious puberty; growth retardation
sleep apnea
vision problems
headache, especially that wakes the child up at night or is early in the morning
pain, especially back pain, which should be taken seriously in a child
changes in personality, irritability, listlessness
excessive thirst and excessive urination (rare, if the tumor is pressing against the pituitary)
As with most childhood cancers, the symptoms of brain tumors are diffuse and confusing, and are often initially attributed to viruses, neurological problems, or even emotional problems. Most parents of children diagnosed with brain tumors report variations of the symptoms listed above, symptoms that had no apparent cause and may have lasted for several months before the pediatricians ordered the tests which diagnosed a brain tumor.
Parents of children with brain tumors advise other parents to rely on own "gut feelings". When you feel that your child is not what he used to be, do take the child to the doctor. Persistency of symptoms is also important. While it is appropriate to wait to take your child to the doctor if you observe the above symptoms, if those symptoms persist, go to the doctor. If necessary, insist on the tests listed below, even if the doctor disagrees. On occasion, a child's teacher may notice a change in behavior pattern or performance; take your child's teacher seriously. Opthamologists are sometimes the specialists who correctly diagnose brain tumors, so an eye exam is appropriate when vision problems are apparent.
*If your child is a baby, the only symptom may be a head that is growing too fast. Because an infant skull can grow to accommodate the extra volume (tumor), a baby may present with an enlarged head.
What To Do
Take your child to the doctor. The doctor should listen carefully to your description of your child's behavior and ask you pertinent questions. If symptoms warrant, vision and other tests should be performed. The tumor probably will not be felt. The doctor should order tests.
MRI
CT scan
Both of these tests are expensive, and therefore doctors will likely not order them until they rule out all other possibilities. As a parent, you may need to be quite insistent that they be performed. Any brain tumor will show up on an MRI; the CT scan misses some tumors.
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a fast-growing, highly malignant soft-tissue sarcoma which arises in undifferentiated striated muscle cells. This type of cancer can occur in a variety of places in the body: the head, neck, and around the eyes; the extremities (shoulders, arms, and legs); in the pelvic region and genitourinary tract; and in the chest and lungs.
Rhabdomyosarcoma accounts for 5-8% of childhood cancers and usually affects children the ages of 2 to 6 and 15 to 19.
A noticeable lump or swelling is present in many cases of rhabdomyosarcoma. Other symptoms depend on the location of the tumor.
Signs and Symptoms
lump or swelling, firm and painless to touch, in the extremities, the groin area, or the vaginal area
drooping eyelids, swelling of the eye, protruding eyeball, rapid vision changes
hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing
abdominal pain that persists for more than a week
Keep a close eye on your child for small lumps which do not disappear in a week or so, but instead keep growing larger. Especially watch the pelvic region and the arms and legs. Also watch for any changes in the eyes. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rapidly growing tumor and the sooner treatment begins, the more favorable is the prognosis
What To Do
Take your child to the doctor. If the doctor finds symptoms of a rhabdomyosarcoma, the following tests should be ordered:
biopsy of the tissue
complete blood count (CBC)
X-rays
CT scan
MRI
A biopsy is a test in which a small piece of the tissue will be removed and studied under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. The X-rays, CT scans, and MRI detect internal tumors.
Treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma usually includes surgery to remove the tumor, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Survival rates depend upon the site and stage of the cancer; current statistics state a 5 year survival rate of 60% overall for this type of cancer.