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Pediatric Brain & Spinal Tumors

Definition

There are two forms of brain tumors. A tumor that begins its growth in the brain is called a primary brain tumor. A tumor that starts in another part of the body and spreads to the brain is a secondary or metastatic tumor. Brain tumors can be benign (without cancer cells) or malignant (contains cancer cells).

Brain tumors are the second most common cancer, after leukemia, in children. Brain cancer is a disease where abnormal cells begin to grow in the brain tissue.

Learn more by going to the About Brain & Spinal Tumors web page.

In addition, childhood pituitary tumors, although rare, do occur. Such tumors are usually benign, that is, non-cancerous. However, because the pituitary gland is very important in helping to regulate the hormones of the body, even a small disruption can have serious effects on mood, on the ability to focus and concentrate, as well as on growth and overall maturation. Learn more about pituitary tumors on the Pediatric Pituitary Tumors webpage.

In addition, please note that Neuroblastoma often begins in the nerve tissue of the adrenal glands, it also can form in nerve tissue of the spinal cord. It is most often found in the lymph nodes, bones, bone marrow, liver, and skin. See the Neuroblastoma web page for more information.

Getting Diagnosed / Treatment

Pediatric brain and spinal tumors, as well as pituitary tumors are treated at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Pediatric Hematology / Oncology Clinic.

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