Tumors in the brain or spinal cord (CNS tumors) are the 2nd most common cancer in children.1
Tumors in the brain and spinal cord may languish for long periods with no growth, or they can dramatically increase in size in just a few days.1
CNS tumors are the most common solid tumors in children.1
Gliomas, also known as primary brain tumors, start in the brain or spinal cord tissue and are always fatal. The American Cancer Society estimates that 20,500 malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord will be diagnosed during 2007 in the United States, and that about 12,740 people will die from these tumors.2
Every year, about 3,100 children in the United States are found to have brain and spinal cord tumors.3
Most studies of cognitive decline following brain tumor treatment have occurred in children. These children were long-term survivors (5 years or longer) and most had received surgery and radiation therapy.1
As the chance of cure continues to rise for children with cancer (now at about 70 percent for all tumors combined), it has been estimated that, by the year 2010, as many as one in 250 young adults will be a survivor of childhood cancer. This success has been achieved mainly by making the treatment tougher, especially using more drugs in bigger doses. However, this tougher treatment may also cause damage long after it has finished. These effects are being seen more often and may result in serious illness that affects normal functioning.4
A sizeable percentage of children still die from the disease. In fact, childhood cancer kills more children than any other disease in the United States.5
The death of a child causes almost unendurable pain and anguish for loved ones left behind. Death from a CNS tumor comes after months or years of debilitating treatment, emotional swings, and financial crises. The family befins the years of grief already exhausted from the years of fighting the tumor. It is truly every parent's worst nightmare.5
1 100 Questions & Answers About Brain Tumors
2 Publication-University of California, San Francisco
3 A Resource Guide For Parent of Children with Brain or Spinal Cord Tumors
4 Late Effects (of Cancer and its Treatments) Childhood Cancer
5 Childhood Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors (A Guide for Families, Friends & Caregivers)