🧠 Pediatric Glioma: Understanding Brain Tumors in Children

What is a Glioma?

A glioma is a type of brain or spinal cord tumor that starts from cells called glial cells. These cells normally help nourish and protect nerve cells and maintain brain function. Gliomas are named after the type of glial cell involved.
 

Common gliomas in children include:

• Astrocytoma

• Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)

• Ependymoma

• Optic pathway glioma

• Pilocytic astrocytoma

• Oligodendroglioma

• Mixed glioma (oligoastrocytoma)
  
  

Causes

Gliomas occur when glial cells grow and divide abnormally, forming a mass. The exact cause is not known.

Risk Factors

A child’s risk of developing glioma increases if they have:

• A genetic condition, such as:

  • Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)

  • Li–Fraumeni syndrome

  • Turcot syndrome

• A family history of cancer syndromes

• Prior radiation exposure (for example, radiation therapy to the brain)

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the tumor’s size, type, and location. They may develop gradually or suddenly.

Common symptoms include:

• Headache (often worse in the morning, may improve after vomiting)

• Nausea and vomiting

• Vision, hearing, or speech changes

• Seizures

• Weakness, numbness, or imbalance

• Personality or memory changes

• Fatigue or change in energy level

• Weight changes

• In infants: rapid head growth

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves:

• Medical and neurological examination

• MRI of the brain and spine

• Biopsy – to confirm the diagnosis and determine tumor type and grade

  • Low-grade: grows slowly

  • High-grade: grows faster

• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) – to check for cancer cells in spinal fluid

• Genetic testing – to help guide treatment
  
  

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on tumor type, size, and aggressiveness.

1. Observation:
Small or slow-growing tumors may be monitored with periodic MRIs.

2. Surgery:
To remove as much of the tumor as possible without harming brain function.

3. Radiation therapy:
High-energy beams kill or shrink tumor cells.

Types include:

• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

• Proton beam therapy

• Stereotactic radiosurgery

4. Chemotherapy:
Medicines that destroy tumor cells; given by injection or by mouth.

5. Targeted therapy:
Drugs that block specific tumor cell growth pathways.

6. Immunotherapy:
Boosts the body’s immune system to attack tumor cells.

7. Supportive care:

• Steroids to reduce swelling

• Anti-seizure medicines if needed

• Rehabilitation (physical, occupational, or speech therapy)

Gliomas can recur (come back). Lifelong follow-up and periodic MRIs are essential.

Home and Follow-Up Care

• Give medicines only as prescribed.

• Report any new or worsening symptoms immediately.

• Encourage your child to stay active within safe limits.

• Maintain a healthy diet and adequate rest.

• Keep all follow-up appointments for check-ups and imaging.

• Join a support group to connect with other families.
  
  

When to Seek Medical Help

Call your child’s doctor if:

• Symptoms return or worsen

• Your child has persistent vomiting, weakness, or loss of balance

• Your child is unable to eat or drink
  
  

Seek emergency help if:

• Your child has a seizure

• Trouble breathing

• Uncontrolled bleeding

• Sudden vision problems or difficulty walking

• Fever above:

  • 100.4°F (38°C) if younger than 3 months

  • 102.2°F (39°C) if 3 months–3 years old
    
    

Key Takeaways

• Glioma is a brain or spinal cord tumor that starts in glial cells.

• Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care improve outcomes.

• Treatment may involve surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.

• Long-term follow-up is essential since gliomas can recur.