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Brain Tumor, Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors, Childhood |
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Childhood supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors and pineoblastoma are tumors in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the brain. Childhood supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors start in the cerebrum. The cerebrum, which is at the top of the head, is the largest part of the brain. The cerebrum controls thinking, learning, problem solving, speech, emotions, reading, writing, and voluntary movement. Childhood supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors are also called cerebral neuroblastomas or cerebral medulloblastomas. Pineoblastoma form in or near the pineal gland. The pineal gland is a tiny organ in the brain that produces melatonin, a substance that helps control our sleeping and waking cycle. Although cancer is rare in children, brain tumors are the most common type of childhood cancer other than leukemia and lymphoma. This summary refers to the treatment of primary brain tumors (tumors that begin in the brain). Treatment of metastatic brain tumors, which are tumors formed by cancer cells that begin in other parts of the body and spread to the brain, is not discussed in this summary. Brain tumors can occur in both children and adults; however, treatment for children may be different than treatment for adults. (Refer to the PDQ treatment summary on Adult Brain Tumors for more information.) The cause of most childhood brain tumors is unknown. The symptoms of childhood supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors and pineoblastoma vary and often depend on the child’s age, where the tumor is located, and the size of the tumor. |
