Description

Embryonal tumors are masses of cells that occur in the brain. The growths involving the cells that are to the left from the fetal development, the so-called embryonic stem cells.

Embryonal tumors are a type of brain cancer, also called malignant brain tumor. This means that the cells that comprise the tumor can grow to invade the brain and cause damage to healthy brain tissue. You can also spread through the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called cerebrospinal fluid.

Embryonal tumors most often occur in infants and young children. But they may occur at any age.

There are several types of embryonal tumors. The most common is the medulloblastoma. This type of tumor embryonic starts in the lower part of the brain, called the cerebellum.

If your child is diagnosed with a tumor of embryonic, seek care at a medical center that has experience in the care of children with brain tumors. Medical centers with expertise in pediatric brain tumors to provide access to the latest treatments and technology to ensure the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a tumor embryonal may include:

  • Headaches.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Feeling more tired than usual.
  • Double vision.
  • Difficulty with balance.
  • Seizures.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.

Causes

The cause of a tumor embryonic often not known. This type of cancer causes a growth of the cells in the brain. The growth involves the cells that are to the left from the fetal development, the so-called embryonic stem cells.

Embryonal tumors beginning of embryonic cells develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA contains the instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions that tell cells to die at a set time. In cancer cells, changes in DNA to give different instructions. The changes tell cancer cells to grow and multiply quickly. Cancer cells can continue living when healthy cells would die. This makes too many cells.

The cancer cells may form a mass called a tumor. The tumor may grow and press on parts of the brain. Cancer cells can also travel in the fluid supports the brain and the spine. This can spread the cancer to other parts of the brain and the spinal cord. When cancer spreads, it is called metastatic cancer.

Risk factors

The factors of risk for embryonal tumors include:

  • The young age. This type of cancer can occur at any age. But it occurs more often in children.
  • Hereditary syndromes. Some conditions that run in the family may increase the risk of tumor embryonic. Examples include Fanconi anemia, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, Rubinstein-taybi syndrome, and Turcot syndrome.

Diagnosis

Your health care team will review your child's medical history and symptoms. Tests and procedures used to diagnose embryonal tumors include:

  • Neurological examination. During this procedure, vision, hearing, balance, strength, coordination, and reflexes are tested. This helps to find out what part of the brain could be affected by the tumor.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests that the images of the brain. The pictures can show the size and location of the tumor. The images can show the pressure or blockage of fluid in the brain. CT and MRI are often used to diagnose brain tumors. Advanced techniques, such as MR perfusion, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, can also be used.
  • Removal of tissue for analysis. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue from the tumor to the test. The sample is often taken during the surgery to remove the tumor. Your healthcare team what you want to, you can remove the tissue prior to surgery if imaging tests show features that are not typical of embryonal tumors. The tissue is then examined in a laboratory to determine the types of cells.
  • The removal of cerebrospinal fluid for testing. A lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap, involves inserting a needle between two bones in the lower part of the spine. The needle is extracted from the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord. The liquid, called cerebrospinal fluid, test to look for tumor cells or other things that are not typical. This test is performed only after handling the pressure in the brain or in the removal of the tumor.

Treatment

The treatment for embryonal tumors usually involves surgery. Other treatments may be used after surgery to reduce the risk that the tumor will come back. What treatments are best for your child depends on the age of your child. Your child's health care team, it is also considered that the type of tumor and embryonic your location.

Embryonic tumor treatment options may include:

  • Surgery to relieve fluid accumulation in the brain. Some embryonal tumors can block the flow of fluid in the brain. This can cause an accumulation of fluid that puts pressure on the brain, called hydrocephalus. To reduce the pressure, a surgeon of the brain, also called a neurosurgeon, you can create a pathway for fluid to flow out of the brain. Sometimes, this procedure may be combined with surgery to remove the tumor.
  • The surgery to remove the tumor. A brain surgeon removes the tumor as possible. The surgeon takes care to not damage the surrounding tissue. Typically, children with embryonal tumors receive additional treatment after surgery to target any remaining cancer cells.
  • The radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill tumor cells. The energy can come from X-rays, protons, and other sources. During radiation therapy, a machine directs the rays of energy to specific points in the body. Standard radiation uses x-rays. A new form of radiation using proton beams. Proton beam radiation can be carefully selected to deliver the radiation to the tumor area or other areas of risk. This reduces the risk of damaging the surrounding healthy tissue. Proton therapy is available in a limited number of health centers in the united States.
  • Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses strong drugs to kill tumor cells. Many chemotherapy drugs are given through a vein, but some are taken in pill form. Chemotherapy may be recommended after surgery or radiation therapy. Sometimes this is done at the same time as radiation therapy.
  • Clinical trials. Clinical trials are studies of new treatments. These studies give your child the opportunity to try the latest treatment options. The risk of side effects of these treatments may not be known. Ask a member of the healthcare team if your child can participate in a clinical trial.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health professional if your child has any of the symptoms that worry you. If your healthcare provider thinks that your child may have a tumor, embryonal, that person can refer you to a specialist. Often, this is a doctor who specializes in cancer that affects children, called a pediatric oncologist.

Appointments can be brief, and being prepared can help. Here is some information that can help you to prepare for the visit of his son.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do for your child in advance, such as fasting before a specific test. Make a list of:

  • Your child's symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for the appointment.
  • Key personal information, including recent changes in the life and family medical history.
  • All the medications, vitamins, or other supplements that your child takes, including the dose.
  • Questions to ask your child's healthcare provider.

For embryonal tumors, some basic questions to ask your child's health care professional include:

  • Does my child has cancer?
  • Does my child need more evidence?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What are the potential risks of these treatment options?
  • Do any of the treatments to cure cancer?
  • I have a copy of the pathology report?
  • How much time can I take to consider the treatment options?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your child's doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask several questions, such as:

  • When his son did symptoms begin?
  • Have your child's symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms of your child?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve the symptoms of your child?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen the symptoms of your child?
The symptoms and treatment of Embryonal tumors