Treatment

In general, cancer in children is uncommon, so it can be hard for doctors to plan treatments unless they know what has been most effective in other children. That’s why more than 60% of children with cancer are treated as part of a clinical trial. Clinical trials are research studies that compare standard treatments (the best treatments available) with newer treatments that may be more effective. Investigating new treatments involves careful monitoring using scientific methods, and all participants are followed closely to track progress.

To take advantage of these newer treatments, all children with cancer should be treated at a specialized cancer center. Doctors at these centers have extensive experience in treating children with cancer and have access to the latest research. A doctor who specializes in treating children with cancer is called a pediatric oncologist. Many times, a team of doctors treats a child with cancer. Pediatric cancer centers often have extra support services for children and their families, such as nutritionists, social workers, and counselors. Special activities for kids with cancer may also be available.

The treatment of brain stem glioma depends on the size and location of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread, and the child’s overall health. Three types of treatments are used to treat brain stem glioma in children: radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Sometimes, the treatments are used in combination. Descriptions of these treatment options are listed below.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the most common treatment for brain stem glioma. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill 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. When radiation therapy is given using implants, it is called internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy.

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 interfere with the normal growth and development of the child’s brain, the doctor may choose to treat the cancer in another way. To avoid or reduce the need for radiation treatment in young children, the doctor may first use chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. Learn more about radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Systemic chemotherapy is delivered through the bloodstream, targeting cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy is given by a medical oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with medication. Some people may receive chemotherapy in their doctor’s office; others may go to the hospital. A chemotherapy regimen (schedule) usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a specific time.

Chemotherapy alone is not an effective treatment for brain stem glioma; however, sometimes, a doctor may use chemotherapy at the same time as or after radiation therapy. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. These side effects usually go away once treatment is finished.

Learn more about chemotherapy and preparing for treatment. The medications used to treat cancer 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. Learn more about your child’s prescriptions by using searchable drug databases.

Surgery

Surgery is used to treat brain stem glioma only when the tumor’s appearance on an MRI scan is focal, which means that it may be possible to remove the cancer without damaging the brain, such as when a tumor grows out from the brain stem. 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. Learn more about cancer surgery.

Recurrent brain stem glioma

Treatment for recurrent brain stem glioma depends on two factors:

• The type of tumor (diffuse or focal)
  
  
• The type of treatment the child received for the original tumor

Depending on individual circumstances, the doctor may recommend either surgery or chemotherapy.

Find out more about common terms used during cancer treatment.