Guide to Paediatric Brain Tumours

Dr Stergios Zacharoulis, The Paediatric Oncology Consultant at the Royal Marsden Hospital has provided an overview of the types of cancer that children can get, including a section on brain tumours.

There are a number of different brain tumours that can affect children, all requiring different treatment approaches and these include the following:

As Dr Zacharoulis explains, due to the sensitivity of the surrounding tissue, any radiation therapy needs to be especially accurate using the latest highly-targeted technologies.

Dr Zacharoulis says, "The treatment methods available for children with tumours have improved substantially over recent years. There are also a number of new and exciting treatment modalities currently undergoing clinical trials and these treatments will be made available when it is deemed appropriate. Clearly, the diagnosis of a childhood tumour is a shocking scenario for both the patient and their family, but with the latest treatment options it is now possible for there to be a good prognosis. Most children can now be cured.".

See - Treating Tumours in Children

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An assessment of the likely progress of a condition. Full medical glossary
Energy in the form of waves or particles, including radio waves, X-rays and gamma rays. Full medical glossary
A group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function. Full medical glossary
An abnormal swelling. Full medical glossary