Understanding And Navigating Tumultuous Path Of Brain Tumours In Children

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Bernama) -- A child means the world to every parent but unfortunately, children, like everyone else, can face unexpected health challenges, one of them being the daunting and frightening diagnosis of brain tumour.

This unwelcomed growth in a child’s brain can be an intimidating topic of discussion but it is essential for us to understand it, even more so for parents, as it impacts a child’s lifestyle, wellbeing and mortality.

Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Haematologist and Oncologist Dr Yap Tsiao Yi said the disease is not selective as it can occur at any age adding that it is the second most common cancer and the most common solid tumour in children. 

“Brain tumours occurring in children are usually primary tumours, meaning they arise from brain tumour cells. Meanwhile, metastatic brain tumours (secondary tumours) or tumours that spread from other parts of the body to the brain, are less common in children but can still occur in certain types of childhood cancer,” she said in a statement today.

Therefore, Dr Yap stresses the importance of recognising the signs and symptoms of a brain tumour in children as it is crucial for early detection. 

Dr Yap explained that although much of the signs and symptoms are dependent on the age of a child and the location of the tumour within the brain, in general, a growing tumour can push the brain causing direct pressure to brain tissues or blocking the flow of fluid circulating in the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid), resulting in headache and vomiting. 

“Sometimes certain brain tumours can cause increased production of cerebrospinal fluid and if present in younger infants below the age of one, it may cause an increase in head size, vomiting, growth delay and/or crankiness (crying that is inconsolable without reason),” she said.

Other children can display symptoms such as headaches, vomiting especially early morning vomiting, nausea, irritability or personality changes, and in later stages, symptoms the likes of drowsiness as well as decreased responsiveness which can lead to coma, and if left untreated, death.

In addition, patients may also show signs which include double vision, blurry vision and other vision changes, abnormal eye movements, slurred speech, paralysis or weakness of part of the face or body, communication problems, problems in walking and seizures.

“Hence, parents are encouraged to be vigilant and if they detected any kind of signs and symptoms, they should consult a doctor for evaluation, while in cases of emergency, they should bring their children to the emergency department as soon as possible,” she said. 

On brain tumour diagnosis, Dr Yap said it requires a comprehensive history and physical examination by a doctor, in particular, a thorough neurological examination, and appropriate, imaging studies including computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.

“When a tumour is found on imaging scans, blood tests can be drawn to determine if tumour markers are elevated. Sometimes, a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is required to examine the cerebrospinal fluid for tumour cells, while a biopsy of the tumour can help confirm the diagnosis,” she noted. 

Moving on post diagnostics Dr Yap elaborates that the options for treatments are highly dependent on the type of brain tumour which may include removal surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of all three treatments with varying recovery time according to the treatment.

“A brain tumour undoubtedly has a huge impact on a child’s life with the treatment processes, medical appointments, hospital stays and potential side effects that can arise and disrupt daily routines as well as social interactions.

“However, it is important to remember that with advancements in medical sciences, with early detection and proper treatment, many children and their families can successfully overcome the hurdles of being diagnosed with a brain tumour,” she said. 

-- BERNAMA 

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