{"id":555,"date":"2012-05-14T18:45:00","date_gmt":"2012-05-14T22:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/med-neurosurgery.sites.unc.edu\/services\/pedsneuro\/conditions\/pediatric-brain-and-spinal-tumors\/"},"modified":"2024-01-25T14:03:20","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T19:03:20","slug":"pediatric-brain-and-spinal-tumors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/neurosurgery\/services\/pedsneuro\/pediatric-brain-and-spinal-tumors\/","title":{"rendered":"Pediatric Brain Tumors & Spinal Tumors"},"content":{"rendered":"

UNC Pediatric Neurosurgery specializes in treating children with brain tumors and spinal tumors. A tumor is an \"Pediatric<\/a>abnormal growth of tissue and can occur in the brain and spinal cord. Pediatric brain tumors and spinal tumors are categorized based on the type, size, and location of the tumor.<\/p>\n

Signs of a brain tumor or spinal tumor in children may vary depending on a child\u2019s age and the location of the tumor. Common signs of brain tumors and spinal tumors include frequent headaches, frequent nausea or vomiting, trouble with vision, balance problems, and behavioral changes. These symptoms can be caused by many other medical conditions unrelated to tumors. Parents should always consult with their child\u2019s pediatrician when they have concerns about their child\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

If your pediatrician suspects that your child has a brain tumor or spinal tumor, imaging tests, such as an MRI, will be used to confirm the presence of a tumor. If a tumor is detected in the brain or spine, your pediatrician may refer you to a pediatric neurosurgeon.<\/p>\n

According to the American Cancer Society, brain and spinal cord tumors are the second most common cancers in children and account for about 1 our of 4 childhood cancers. Not all brain tumors and spinal tumors in children are cancerous, and our UNC pediatric neurosurgery team works closely with\u00a0pediatricians, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and colleagues around the country in the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors and spinal tumors in children.<\/p>\n

Treatments<\/strong><\/h3>\n

UNC Pediatric Neurosurgery offers several different treatment options for children with a brain tumor or spinal tumor. A child\u2019s treatment plan is dependent on a number of factors, including the type of tumor and the patient\u2019s age. Our pediatric neurosurgeons want to safely remove as much of the tumor as possible with a goal of complete removal.<\/p>\n

UNC Pediatric Neurosurgery offers the following treatment options for children with a brain tumor or spine tumor:<\/p>\n