* Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer death in children
under 20, now surpassing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. They
are the deadliest type of childhood cancer.
* The incidence of brain tumors is increasing, but the reasons for
the increase are unknown.
* Medulloblastoma accounts for about 20% of all brain tumors
making it the most common type of brain tumor.
* Each year in the United States about 2,000 children under the
age of 16 are diagnosed with a brain tumor.
* Every day, nine more children are diagnosed with a brain tumor.
* More than 21,000 American children are living with the
diagnosis of a primary brain tumor.
* 76% of children diagnosed with a brain tumor are younger than
15.
* Four out of 10 children with a brain tumor will die of their
disease within five years of diagnosis.
* There are more than 120 different types of brain tumors, making
effective treatment very complicated.
* Because brain tumors are located at the control center for
thought, emotion and movement, their effect on a child's
physical and cognitive abilities can be devastating.
* Pediatric brain tumors are different from those in adults and are
often treated differently. Although as many as 60 percent of
children will survive, they are often left with long-term side
effects.
* Benign tumors may recur and may result in death.
* Brain tumors are usually treated by surgery, radiation therapy
and chemotherapy, either individually or in combination.
* Some brain tumor survivors require physical, cognitive and
rehabilitation services to allow them to return to tasks of
everyday life.
* Enhancing the quality of life of children with brain tumors
requires access to quality specialty care and ready availability
of follow-up care and rehabilitative services.
* Improving the outlook for children with brain tumors requires
research into the causes of the disease and better treatments
for it.
Facts from Pediactric Brain Tumor Foundation
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