Brain Tumor Symptoms in a Child
A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells, and, according to the Mayo Clinic, "Brain tumors are the most common type of solid tumor and second most common type of cancer (after leukemia) in children." Symptoms of brain tumors in children are often vague and similar to symptoms of other illnesses. Brain tumor symptoms often vary depending on the tumor size, the tumor type, the tumor location and the speed of the tumor growth.
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Symptoms of a Brain Tumor in the Cerebrum
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The cerebrum is located in the front part of the brain and is what most people envision when they think of the brain. It controls a child's sense of smell, language and communication, learning and memory, movement and ability to process sensations. A child with a brain tumor in the cerebrum may have seizures, slurred speech, changes in her vision, weakness or paralysis on one side of her body, changes in the way she breathes or increased intracranial pressure.
Symptoms of a Brain Tumor in the Brainstem
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The brainstem, which connects the brain to the spinal cord, is responsible for controlling a child's swallow, breathing, facial muscles, tongue and vocal chords. Symptoms a child may exhibit when he has a tumor in the brainstem include seizures, paralyzed nerves and muscles located in the face, vision changes or double vision, respiratory changes and increased intracranial pressure. A child may also have recurrent headaches that are dull, throbbing and more severe in the mornings.
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Symptoms of a Brain Tumor in the Cerebellum
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The cerebellum is located in the back of the brain and controls voluntary motor movement coordination, balance and equilibrium, muscle tone and posture. Increased intracranial pressure, headaches and vomiting which often occurs in the morning are some signs that a child might have a brain tumor in the cerebellum. A child might also have problems coordinating muscle movements, such as walking, which is called ataxia.
Symptoms of Increased Intracranial Pressure
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Intracranial pressure is the pressure in the cranium, brain and cerebrospinal fluid. When a tumor begins growing in the brain, the intracranial pressure increases. A child with increased intracranial pressure caused by a brain tumor might have symptoms such as headaches, decreased respiratory and cardiac functions, and nausea and vomiting. She might seem depressed or sluggish, be irritable or have changes in her personality.
Other Symptoms
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A child with a brain tumor might also run a fever or complain of generally not feeling well. He might have reduced alertness or lethargy, memory loss, or confusion. Decreased sensation, a head tilt, hand tremors, loss of sense of smell or loss of hearing are also symptoms that a child might have a brain tumor.
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