Brain Stem Glioma - Childhood: Types of Treatment

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 10/2022

ON THIS PAGE: You will learn about the different types of treatments doctors use for children with brain stem glioma. Use the menu to see other pages.

In general, tumors in children are uncommon. This means it can be hard for doctors to plan treatments unless they know what has been most effective in other children. That is why more than 60% of children are treated as part of a clinical trial. A clinical trial is a research study that tests a new approach to treatment. The “standard of care” is the best treatments known based on previous clinical trials. Clinical trials may test such approaches as a new drug, a new combination of existing treatments, or new doses of current therapies. The health and safety of all children participating in clinical trials are closely monitored.

To take advantage of these newer treatments, children should be treated at a specialized cancer center. Doctors at these centers have extensive experience in treating children and have access to the latest research. A doctor who specializes in treating children with cancer is called a pediatric oncologist. For brain stem glioma, a neuro-oncologist may also be involved with treatment. A neuro-oncologist is a doctor who specializes in central nervous system (CNS) tumors. If a pediatric cancer center is not nearby, general cancer centers sometimes have pediatric specialists who are able to be part of your child’s care.

How brain stem glioma is treated

In many cases, a team of doctors works with a child and the family to provide care. This is called a multidisciplinary team. Pediatric cancer centers often have extra support services for children and their families, such as child life specialists, dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and counselors. Special activities and programs to help your child and family cope may also be available. Learn more about the clinicians who provide cancer care.

Treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, including the type and grade of the tumor, possible side effects, the family’s preferences, and the child’s overall health. The main types of treatments used for brain stem glioma in children are radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Sometimes, these treatments are used together.

The treatment of brain stem glioma for children with the genetic condition neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) may differ. A tumor in a child with NF1 may be low-grade even though it looks diffuse. Therefore, an approach called "active surveillance" or "watchful waiting" may be recommended. This approach is when the patient is closely monitored to watch for signs that the tumor is worsening. Active treatment would begin if the tumor started to grow and spread.

Take time to learn about all of your child’s treatment options and be sure to ask questions about things that are unclear. Talk with your child’s doctor about the goals of each treatment and what you can expect during the treatment. These types of conversations are called “shared decision-making.” Shared decision-making is when you and your child's doctors work together to choose treatments that fit the goals of your child’s care. Shared decision-making is important for brain stem glioma because there are different treatment options. Learn more about making treatment decisions.

The common types of treatments used for brain stem glioma are described below. Your child’s care plan may also include treatment for symptoms and side effects, an important part of care. Learn more about preparing your child for treatment.

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Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the most common treatment for children with brain stem glioma. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to destroy tumor cells. A doctor who specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat a tumor is called a radiation oncologist.

The most common type of radiation treatment is called external-beam radiation therapy, which is radiation given from a machine outside the body. A radiation therapy regimen, or schedule, usually consists of a specific number of treatments given over a set period of time.

Proton beam therapy is a type of external-beam radiation therapy that uses protons rather than x-rays. It is a newer type of radiation therapy that may be an option for children with brain stem glioma. At high energy, protons can destroy cancer cells.

Side effects from radiation therapy may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements. Most side effects go away soon after treatment is finished. Because radiation therapy can sometimes cause problems with the growth and development of a child’s brain, the doctor may choose to treat the tumor a different way. To avoid or reduce the need for radiation therapy in young children, the doctor may first use chemotherapy (see below) to shrink the tumor.

Learn more about the basics of radiation therapy.

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Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy tumor cells, usually by keeping the tumor cells from growing, dividing, and making more cells. Chemotherapy may be given through the bloodstream to reach tumor cells throughout the body. When a drug is given this way, it is called systemic therapy. It may also be given locally, which is when the medication is applied directly to the tumor or kept in a single part of the body.

Chemotherapy is given by a medical oncologist, which is a doctor who specializes in treating a tumor with medication, or a pediatric oncologist. Medications are often given through an intravenous (IV) tube placed into a vein using a needle or as a pill or capsule that is swallowed (orally). If your child is given oral medications to take at home, be sure to ask your child's health care team about how to safely store and handle them.

A chemotherapy regimen, or schedule, usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a set period of time. A patient may receive 1 drug at a time or a combination of different drugs given at the same time.

Chemotherapy by itself is not an effective treatment for brain stem glioma. Sometimes, a doctor may use chemotherapy before, during, or after radiation therapy.

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but they can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. These side effects usually go away after treatment is finished.

The medications used to treat tumors are continually being evaluated. Talking with your child’s doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications prescribed for your child, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications. It is also important to let your child's doctor know if they are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements. Herbs, supplements, and other drugs can interact with tumor medications, causing unwanted side effects or reduced effectiveness. Learn more about your child’s prescriptions by using searchable drug databases.

Learn more about the basics of chemotherapy.

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Targeted therapy (updated 03/2023)

Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets the cancer’s specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. This type of treatment blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells and limits damage to healthy cells.

Not all tumors have the same targets. To find the most effective treatment, your doctor may run tests to identify the genes, proteins, and other factors in your tumor. This helps doctors better match each patient with the most effective treatment whenever possible. In addition, research studies continue to find out more about specific molecular targets and new treatments directed at them. Learn more about the basics of targeted treatments.

In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved dabrafenib (Tafinlar) in combination with trametinib (Mekinist) for the treatment of children with both low-grade and high-grade glioma with a BRAF V600E mutation that is either metastatic or that cannot be removed with surgery. To receive the combination, a child's cancer must have either gotten worse following previous treatment or there must be no other satisfactory treatment options available. In 2023, the FDA also approved the combination of dabrafenib with trametinib for children with low-grade glioma with a BRAF V600E mutation who are 1 or older. A BRAF V600 mutation is a specific change in the tumor’s BRAF gene. Dabrafenib is a targeted therapy that works by targeting the BRAF mutation, and trametinib is a targeted therapy that targets the MEK protein, which is involved in cancer growth and survival. Dabrafenib is given as an oral medication twice daily and trametinib is given as an oral medication once daily.

Talk with your doctor about possible side effects for a specific medication and how they can be managed.

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Surgery

Surgery is the removal of the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue during an operation. A neurosurgeon is a doctor who specializes in treating a central nervous system (CNS) tumor using surgery. Surgery is used to treat brain stem glioma only when the tumor looks focal on an MRI scan (see Diagnosis). This means that it may be possible to remove the tumor without damaging the brain, such as when a tumor grows out from the brain stem instead of into the brain stem. Before surgery, talk with your child's health care team about the possible side effects from the specific surgery your child will have. Learn more about the basics of surgery.

For most children with diffuse types of brain stem glioma, surgery is not recommended or possible because of the location of the tumor and the risk involved. This type of tumor may be called inoperable or unresectable. The doctor will recommend other treatment options.

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Physical, emotional, social, and financial effects of a CNS tumor

A CNS tumor and its treatment cause physical symptoms and side effects, as well as emotional, social, and financial effects. Managing all of these effects is called palliative and supportive care. It is an important part of your child’s care that is included along with treatments intended to slow, stop, or eliminate the tumor.

Palliative and supportive care focuses on improving how your child feels during treatment by managing symptoms and supporting patients and their families with other, non-medical needs. Any person, regardless of age or type and grade of tumor, may receive this type of care. And it often works best when it is started right after the diagnosis. People who receive palliative and supportive care along with treatment for the tumor often have less severe symptoms, better quality of life, and report that they are more satisfied with treatment.

Palliative treatments vary widely and often include medication, nutritional changes, relaxation techniques, emotional and spiritual support, and other therapies. Your child may also receive palliative treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy, to improve symptoms.

Before treatment begins, talk with your child’s doctor about the goals of each treatment in the recommended treatment plan. You should also talk about the possible side effects of the specific treatment plan and palliative and supportive care options. Many patients also benefit from talking with a social worker and participating in support groups. Ask your doctor about these resources, too.

Cancer care is often expensive, and navigating health insurance can be difficult. Ask your doctor or another member of your health care team about talking with a financial navigator or counselor who may be able to help with your financial concerns.

During treatment, your child’s health care team may ask you to answer questions about your child’s symptoms and side effects and to describe each problem. Be sure to tell the health care team if your child is experiencing a problem. This helps the health care team treat any symptoms and side effects as quickly as possible. It can also help prevent more serious problems in the future.

Learn more about the importance of tracking side effects in another part of this guide. Learn more about palliative and supportive care in a separate section of this website.

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Remission and the chance of recurrence

A remission is when the tumor cannot be detected in the body and there are no symptoms. This may also be called having “no evidence of disease” or NED.

A remission may be temporary or permanent. This uncertainty causes many people to worry that the tumor will come back. While many remissions are permanent, it is important to talk with your child’s doctor about the possibility of the tumor returning. Understanding your child’s risk of recurrence and the treatment options may help you feel more prepared if the disease does return. Learn more about coping with the fear of recurrence.

If the tumor does return after the original treatment, it is called a recurrent tumor. It may come back in the same place (called a local recurrence), nearby (regional recurrence), or in another place (distant recurrence).

If a recurrence happens, a new cycle of testing will begin to learn as much as possible about it. After this testing is done, you and your child’s doctor will talk about the treatment options. Treatment for recurrent brain stem glioma depends on the type of tumor, such as whether it is diffuse or focal, and the type of treatment that was given for the original tumor. Depending on the situation, the doctor may recommend either surgery or chemotherapy. Your child’s doctor may suggest clinical trials that are studying new ways to treat a recurrent brain stem glioma. Whichever treatment plan you choose, palliative and supportive care will be important for relieving symptoms and side effects.

A recurrent tumor may bring up emotions such as disbelief or fear. You and your family are encouraged to talk with your child's health care team about these feelings and ask about support services to help you cope. Learn more about dealing with a recurrence.

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If treatment does not work

Although treatment is successful for many children with a CNS tumor, sometimes it is not. If a child’s tumor cannot be cured or controlled, this is called an advanced or terminal tumor. This diagnosis is stressful, and advanced brain stem glioma may be difficult to discuss. However, it is important to have open and honest conversations with your child’s health care team to express your family’s feelings, preferences, and concerns. The health care team has special skills, experience, and knowledge to support patients and their families and is there to help.

Hospice care is designed to provide the best possible quality of life for people who are expected to live less than 6 months. Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk with the health care team about hospice options, which include hospice care at home, a special hospice center, or other health care locations. Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home a workable option for many families. Some children may be happier and more comfortable if they can attend school part-time or keep up other activities and social connections. The child’s health care team can help parents or guardians decide on an appropriate level of activity. Making sure a child is physically comfortable and free from pain is extremely important as part of end-of-life care. Learn more about caring for a terminally ill child and advanced care planning.

The death of a child is an enormous tragedy, and families may need support to help them cope with the loss. Pediatric cancer centers often have professional staff and support groups to help with the process of grieving. Learn more on grieving the loss of a child.

Some families find comfort in getting involved in research efforts to advance knowledge about brain stem glioma. Learn more about tissue donation. Please note that this link takes you to a separate website.

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The next section in this guide is About Clinical Trials. It offers more information about research studies that are focused on finding better ways to care for children with a CNS tumor. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.