Brain & Spinal Cord Tumor Program | Children's Minnesota

The neurooncology (brain and spinal tumor) group at Children’s Minnesota is a multidisciplinary team that cares for children with brain and spinal cord tumors. We treat more children with brain and spinal cord tumors than any other institution in the five state area.

At Children’s Minnesota we pride ourselves in providing comprehensive care to our patients. To do this, we include numerous specialists in the care of our patients. These specialties include oncology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, child life therapy (teaching children through play), endocrinology, neurology, sleep medicine, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, integrative medicine, audiology, neuropsychology, nutrition, research and social work.

Symptoms of brain and spinal tumors

Symptoms of brain and spinal tumors can be very subtle and can wax and wane over weeks and months, or symptoms can be much more intense and dramatic. Common symptoms of brain and spinal tumors may include any of the following:

Abnormal eye movements
Back or neck pain
Failure to thrive
Headaches
Hydrocephalus, or fluid in the brain
Difficulty with speech
Difficulty with walking
Double vision
Loss of developmental milestones in infants and toddlers
Seizures
Vomiting
Weakness

About brain and spinal tumors

A brain and spinal cord tumor, also known as a central nervous system (CNS) tumor, is an abnormal growth that occurs in any part of the brain or spinal cord. CNS tumors are the second most common pediatric cancer, after leukemia, and the most common solid tumor of childhood. The cause of most CNS tumors is unknown. Brain tumors are not contagious, and nothing you have done or not done is responsible for your child’s tumor.

There are two main types of tumors: benign and malignant. Benign tumors are slow growing and rarely spread. Generally, benign tumors can be completely removed. Malignant tumors are usually rapid growing, invasive and life threatening. Management of any tumor differs according to factors like the patient’s age, the tumor location and the kinds of cells that make up the tumor.