Condition
Pediatric Brain Tumors
Key points about brain tumors
- Brain tumors start in the cells of the brain.
- Brain tumors can grow at any age. Those that grow in infants and children are very different from those in adults.
- The types of brain tumors are based on the cell type and its location in the brain.
- Some common symptoms of brain tumors are headache, nausea and vomiting, and trouble with movement.
- Most children are treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
- On-going follow-up is important to watch for effects of tumors or treatment and the cancer growing back.
- Children’s National Hospital offers a full-range of pediatric brain tumor therapies including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and targeted therapies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the Providers Who Treat Brain Tumors
Lexy's Story
Sixteen-year-old West Virginia native Lexy Blair and her parents knew that something was wrong when she started needing to take breaks during her favorite dance classes. Lexy was suffering from intense fatigue and constant headaches, and was unable to keep up with her rigorous dance training or even finish days of school, which had never posed a problem for her in the past.
Departments that Treat Brain Tumors
Blood and Marrow Transplant
Our blood and bone marrow disease experts provide advanced transplant procedures for children and teenagers.
Neuropsychology
Children's National Hospital has some of the world's foremost experts in care for children with complex neurodevelopmental disorders affecting the brain and central nervous system.
Neurointerventional Radiology Program
Our Neurointerventional Radiology Program targets the tiniest spaces in a child's brain or spine using catheters and imaging to treat vascular conditions without more invasive surgery.
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