Pediatric Brain Tumors and Solving Kids’ Cancer’s Impact

The Challenges of Pediatric Brain Tumors

Pediatric brain tumors are the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in children, representing 29.9% of total childhood cancer deaths1, with 1/3 of childhood brain and central nervous system (CNS) cancers occurring among those aged 5-9. The average age of death is age 9.2 

Children who are treated for brain tumors also have the highest risk of serious late effects from their cancer treatment, including second cancers, joint replacement, hearing loss, and congestive heart failure,3  as well as fertility issues due to cranial radiation.

Even with the most intensive traditional therapies, brain tumors are the toughest to treat and overcome, due in part to their aggressive and fast-growing behavior. There is also relatively little research done on them because current, innovative therapies are prioritized for adults and prevalent diseases, which typically bring in more funding. 

This is where Solving Kids’ Cancer fills the gap.

At Solving Kids’ Cancer, we help to identify current unmet needs and fund breakthrough research to find cures with fewer treatment side effects for these fatal childhood cancers. We’re primarily focused on funding and advocating the research for brain tumors, including these three: medulloblastoma, embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes (ETMR), and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT).

Facts About Medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. It accounts for about 20% of all childhood brain tumors.4 The most common age of diagnosis is between 5 and 9 years old, with approximately 350-500 diagnosed each year in the United States.5

Medulloblastoma develops from the back part of the brain called the cerebellum, an area of the brain that regulates balance and coordination. It is a fast-growing tumor that can quickly spread to other parts of the brain and spinal cord. 

Some of the signs and symptoms of medulloblastoma include:
      • Headaches
      • Nausea and vomiting
      • Lack of energy
      • Clumsiness or loss of balance
      • Dizziness
      • Change in vision

Medulloblastoma is an aggressive brain tumor that quickly spreads. Once it spreads to the spinal cord, patient survival rates drop to 60%.6

Facts About ETMR

ETMR is a rare and aggressive pediatric brain tumor, attacking the youngest of patients. 92% of children diagnosed with ETMR are under the age of three.7

ETMR is made up of small, round and blue cell tumors originating from embryonic cells that remain in the brain even after a child has been born. Typically, this type of pediatric cancer develops in the largest part of the brain called the cerebrum, but can also be found in the brainstem and spinal cord.

Some of the signs and symptoms of an ETMR tumor include:
      • Loss of balance
      • Slow speech
      • Seizures
      • Nausea and vomiting
      • Sleepiness or lack of energy
      • Eye problems
      • Changes in behavior including irritability, aggravation and anxiety

ETMR is a rare brain tumor that behaves very aggressively and grows rapidly. Despite current intensive treatment, survival rates of ETMR range between 0 and 30%, with a prognosis of 12 months. 

Facts About ATRT

(ATRT) is a rare and fast-growing tumor of the brain and spinal cord. It is found in fewer than 10% of children with pediatric brain tumors.8 While it’s most often seen in children aged 3 or younger, it can also occur in older children and adults.

ATRT cancer develops mostly in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls movement and balance, or the brain stem, the part of the brain that controls basic body functions.

Some of the signs and symptoms of ATRT include:
      • Headaches
      • Nausea and vomiting
      • Sleepiness or lack of energy
      • Loss of balance, increasing problems with coordination or trouble walking
      • Unusual face or eye movements like twitches 
     • Increase in head size (in infants)

One of the most difficult childhood cancers to cure, ATRT is aggressive and spreads quickly in a short period of time. Even with current therapies, the survival rate of ATRT is at 32.2%.9

Solving Kids’ Cancer’s Role in Pediatric Brain Tumor Research