Contact Us | Location

Error: Contact form not found.

Blog

Childhood Brain Tumors: Staging and Prognosis Factors

Posted on by

Childhood Brain Tumor Cancer – Stages and Prognosis

When discussing childhood cancer, we often hear about the “stage” of the cancer. What does that mean, and is it relevant when discussing brain tumors in children? When oncologists first diagnose a case of cancer, part of the diagnosis usually involves an assessment of how and where the cancer has spread from the original point of growth. This assessment is known as “staging”. For many types of pediatric cancer, the “stage” of the cancer is an important factor in developing an appropriate treatment plan and determining the patient’s prognosis, or outlook.

Brain Tumors childIs staging relevant for childhood brain tumors? In fact, this is one of the major differences between brain tumors and other types of cancers in children. Regardless of whether they are malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous), brain tumors in children rarely spread to other organs beyond the central nervous system (which includes the brain and the spinal cord). Therefore, oncologists do not utilize a formal staging system when diagnosing and treating brain cancers.

Yet although brain tumors do not generally present a threat to other organs of the body, both malignant and benign tumors can be extremely dangerous—and often life-threatening—as they interfere with the brain’s ability to function normally. As a brain tumor grows, it will press on, impede, or otherwise impair the healthy brain tissue nearby, depending on its precise location. Therefore, the location, size, and rate of growth are used to determining both treatment options and long-term prognosis, instead of more traditional “staging” used when diagnosing other types of cancers.

Prognosis Factors for Childhood Brain Tumors

Instead of staging, oncologists dealing with a diagnosis of a brain tumor will look at “prognosis factors” to help determine treatment options and to help assess each child’s potential for long-term survivorship. Some key prognosis factors include:

  • The type of tumor: a brain tumor’s “type” is based on the type of cells from which the tumor began to grow. Some of the most common types of brain tumors in children include: gliomas (almost 50% of all brain tumors in children) such as glioblastomas, oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, and brain stem gliomas; astrocytomas, and embryonal tumors (10-20% of all brain tumors in children) such as medulloblastomas.
  • The tumor’s “grade”: A tumor is “graded” based on how quickly it is growing. Most oncologists use a four-level system of grading when dealing with brain tumors in children. Low grade tumors (grade I or grade II) usually grow relatively slowly and are less likely to invade or infiltrate adjacent healthy brain tissue. High grade tumors (grade III or grade IV) grow relatively quickly and are considered invasive. High grade tumors usually require a more aggressive treatment approach.
  • The tumor’s location and size: The location and size of the tumor will greatly impact the symptoms the tumor causes, due to the specific functionality of the healthy brain tissue impacted by the growth of the tumor. Location and size will also determine treatment options; whether the tumor can be surgically removed, and how much of the tumor can be surgically removed, will greatly impact both treatment options and long-term prognosis.

Other prognosis factors for childhood brain tumors include:

  • Whether the tumorous cells have specific gene mutations
  • Whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the brain or spinal cord via the cerebrospinal fluid
  • Whether tumorous cells have spread beyond the central nervous system
  • The child’s age and functional abilities as impacted by the tumor

Just as every child is unique, so each cancer diagnosis is unique as well. If your child has been diagnosed with a brain tumor (whether benign or malignant), your child’s oncology team will ensure that you understand all of these prognosis factors as they relate to your child and his or her type of cancer. While the general guidelines contained here and in other similar literature are important, they are just that: only general guidelines. Only your child’s oncology team can determine your child’s key prognosis factors and their implications for long-term survivorship.

More about Childhood Brain Tumor Cancers:

Learn More About the Different Types of Childhood Cancers:

Together, we can make a difference.
Donate today because kids can’t fight cancer alone®.

Donate to ACCO

About American Childhood Cancer Organization

The American Childhood Cancer Organization was founded in 1970 by parents of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer. As the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots organization dedicated to childhood cancer, ACCO is committed to shaping policy, supporting research, raising awareness, and providing free educational resources to kids with cancer, survivors, and their families. Additionally, ACCO is the sole U.S. member of Childhood Cancer International (CCI) and has helped support more than half a million families over the past 50 years. Help make childhood cancer a national health priority because kids can’t fight cancer alone®. 

For more information about how ACCO can help your family, call 855.858.2226 or visit:

Comments are closed.