Being diagnosed with any illness related to the brain can be extremely scary. But something like brain tumor can happen to anyone – adults or children. So, knowing about brain tumors, their causes, and symptoms is important. In this article, we will mainly discuss what causes brain tumor in teenager.
The Human Brain and Brain Tumors
Before we discuss brain tumor causes in teens, let us understand a bit about the brain.
The central nervous system comprises the spinal cord and the brain. The brain can be called the ‘control centre’ as it is responsible for coordinating crucial body functions. It has a protective covering, the skull. The spinal cord’s role is to convey messages/ signals between different body parts and the brain.
Both the spinal cord and the brain are covered by meninges. Between 2 layers of meninges, CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) can be found. CSF and meninges provides protection to the brain.
The various parts of the brain are as follows:
- brain stem
- cerebellum
- cerebrum
- pituitary gland
Brain tumor is an abnormal growth in the brain, and they can be either benign or malignant. A benign tumor is devoid of cancer cells and once removed, it does not return. Bening tumors also do not tend to affect the surrounding tissues. Malignant brain tumors, on the other hand, are a serious threat as cancer cells are present in them. They grow fast, end up invading the surrounding tissue, and can recur even after treatment.
Unlike other cancers like prostate cancer and breast cancer that are more likely to occur in senior citizens, brain tumors can occur in kids as well. So, what causes brain tumor in teenagerand what are the symptoms? Let’s find out!
Pediatric Brain Tumor
Very few parents care to research brain health in teens as no parent imagines their child can suffer from something like this. But did you know that nearly 4,000 adolescents and children in the United States are diagnosed with brain tumors every year?
Brain Tumor Causes in Teens
Chromosome rearrangements or alterations in the genes causes brain tumors. In most cases, the cause of brain tumor in teens cannot be identified. However, some risk factors for brain tumors in teens have been identified by doctors. The following have been identified by doctors as some possible causes:
1. Exposure to radiation
Several types of brain tumor may develop in children who receive treatments like radiation therapy to the head. What is alarming is that receiving radiation therapy for one type of tumor can increase the risk of developing some other type of malignant or benign brain tumor.
Did you know that ionizing radiation exposure can be a causative agent of brain. Among other environmental causes of brain tumors, air pollution exposure and exposure to neurotoxins should also be considered as risk factors.
2. Weakened immunity
We all know that children with weak immunity keep suffering from various types of diseases and infections. Weak immunity can also affect their brain and spinal cord. That’s because when an individual’s immune system is weak, the body’s ability to fight illnesses and germs decreases. Such kids have a higher chance of pediatric brain tumors. In fact, this is one of the major teenage brain tumor causes.
3. Genetic syndromes running in families
genetic factors for brain tumors can increase the chances of having primary brain tumors. Some genetic syndromes that can be linked with brain tumors are:
- Neurofibromatosis 2.
- Neurofibromatosis 1.
- Gorlin syndrome.
- Cowden syndrome
- Tuberous sclerosis.
- Turcot syndrome.
If you test the DNA of your child, the test results can show if any of these syndromes is present.
Symptoms of a Brain Tumor
After learning brain tumor causes in teens, it is natural to feel intrigued to know the signs of brain tumors in teenager. Symptoms of brain tumor differ based on the location of the tumor cells and the size of the tumor. However, some common symptoms of childhood brain tumors are:
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting (more in the morning)
- Depression
- Personality changes
- Decreased respiratory and cardiac function
- Irritability
- Visual changes like double vision
- ICP (Increased intracranial pressure)
- Partial paralysis
- Seizures
- Communication problems
- Slurred speech
- Memory loss (short-term)
- Confusion and drowsiness
- Gait disturbances
- Hearing loss
- Aataxia (problems walking)
Note: The above-mentioned brain tumor symptoms may be indicative of some other medical condition. Always get in touch with the physician of your child before arriving at any conclusion.
Brain Tumor Diagnosis
Examination procedures for detecting brain tumors include:
- Angiogram
- Neurological exam
- Lumbar puncture
- Myelogram
- Computed tomography scan
- X-ray
- PET (Positron emission tomography)
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Treatment for Brain Tumors in Children
Once a teenager is diagnosed with a tumor, treatment begins immediately. Physicians curate a treatment plan based on:
- The age, medical history, and overall health of the child
- Size and location of the tumor
- Tumor type
- The person’s tolerance for certain medications, therapies, or procedures
- Parents’ preference/ opinion
Treatment usually includes:
- Radiation therapy
- Steroids (necessary to prevent and treat swelling in the brain)
- Anti-seizure medication
- Bone marrow transplantation
- Rehabilitation
- Palliative care
To Sum Up
Lastly, the thing about brain tumors is that there is no way to prevent them. So, if a teenager develops a brain tumor, parents should not blame themselves. The only thing they can do is seek medical assistance at the earliest and support their child in these tough times.
As mentioned already, not all brain tumors are deadly and therefore, families should not lose hope.
Q. What are the common causes of brain tumors in teenagers?
Not sure what causes brain tumor in teenager? Weakened immunity, chromosomal abnormalities, and prolonged/ repeated exposure to radiation are some causes of pediatric brain tumors.
Q. Are there genetic factors involved in teenage brain tumors?
Children born with some kinds of genetic disorders are more prone to getting affected with brain tumors. Some such genetic disorders are neurofibromatosis type 2, tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis type 1, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and Von Hippel-Lindau disease.
