Which Symptoms Point to Brain Tumors in Children?

Noting that brain tumors can occur in any period of life, regardless of age, experts point out that the symptoms vary with age.

Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital Brain, Nerve and Spinal Cord Surgeon Prof. Dr. Mustafa Bozbuga made statements about brain tumors that occur in childhood.

Uncontrolled proliferating cells cause tumor

Stating that the brain or the nervous system in a broader sense is undoubtedly the most complex structure in our body, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Bozbuga continued his words as follows:

“In parallel with its function, its anatomical and physiological structure is also extremely diverse. Accordingly, it contains a large number of cells. Each cell has very different functions that can even change according to needs. These cells are cells whose construction and destruction are completely under control and that progress within a certain plan, program, code. During the course of normal life, there may be a problem in the production and destruction of these cells, ie their proliferation. They can reproduce uncontrollably. In this case, masses that should not be in the brain or spinal cord and are constantly increasing appear. In fact, we call these masses tumors. Although tumor has a broader meaning, it is used synonymously with cancers or neoplasms, the equivalent of new growth in medicine. In summary, it means uncontrolled proliferation of masses that should not be in the head or spinal cord. "

Brain tumor can be seen at any age

Drawing attention to the fact that brain tumors can occur throughout life, Bozbuğu said, “In other words, a brain tumor can be seen in a baby in the womb and in a person in his 80s and 90s. But the types of tumors that occur with age vary. They can be in different locations, show different course and results. For example, childhood brain tumors, which we call pediatric, are extremely common. "It constitutes 20 percent of solitary tumors, ie tumors that form masses, which means the cancer group is in the second place after leukemias.

Tumor symptoms vary by age

Stating that the symptoms actually change according to the age at which they occur in childhood, Bozbuğu said, “In young children, the head has a capacity to grow. For example, in children in the first 1 year of age, since the skull bones are not fully joined yet, the openings between the bones do not open and close, allowing the head to grow further and make room for the tumor. "This causes the picture that we call increased intracranial pressure syndrome to appear later."

Watch out for these symptoms!

Bozbğa said that dysfunction of the tumor's location or epilepsy attacks can occur when the neighboring brain tissue is stimulated and affected, and continued his words as follows:

“The tumor can cause gait disturbances in older children. In the first 2 years of age, the head starts to grow abnormally, restlessness, constant crying, tension, not eating, not sleeping or excessive sleep after a while, although the skull bones have not joined together, a more severe picture can be seen after a while as a result of increased pressure in the head. Symptoms such as all vital functions, respiratory functions and consciousness of the child are affected. Children who start talking and walk may also have gait disturbances, vomiting, headaches and some brain dysfunctions, loss of strength, visual disturbances, hormonal disorders, excessive weight gain or excessive weight loss, excessive drinking of water. These symptoms should be warning. If any of these serious symptoms occur, the child must be taken to the doctor. Early diagnosis is also extremely important in terms of diagnosis, treatment and getting a good result. "