Brain Tumors, Pediatric

A brain tumor is a growth of abnormal cells inside the skull. Brain tumors may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Malignant tumors invade and destroy neighboring cells, whereas benign tumors cause damage by compressing other areas of the brain. Both kinds of tumors are potentially life-threatening and carry a significant risk for long-term intellectual and developmental disorders. In survivors, the neurocognitive effects of treatment for the disease can be more significant than that of the tumor itself. Children are particularly vulnerable to the impact of brain tumors due to disruption of brain growth during critical periods of learning and brain development.

Approximately 4,600 new brain tumors are diagnosed each year among those 19 years of age and younger, for an estimated incidence of 5.6 cases ...