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Welcome to Sebastian Memorial Foundation
Upcoming Events
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma:
The Changing Landscape
• Second Annual Symposium
on Cutaneous Lymphoma
 
About Childhood Brain Stem Glioma
Childhood brain stem glioma is a disease in which benign
(noncancer) or malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the
brain stem. The brain stem is the part of the brain connected to
the spinal cord. It is located in the lowest part of the brain, just
above the back of the neck. The brain stem is the part of the
brain that controls breathing, heart rate, and nerves and muscles
used in seeing, hearing, walking, talking, and eating. Most
childhood brain stem gliomas are pontine gliomas, which form in
a part of the brain stem called the pons. Although cancer is rare
in children, brain tumors are the most common type of childhood
cancer other than leukemia or lymphoma. This summary refers to

the treatment of primary braintumors (tumors that begin in the brain).

The cause of most childhood brain tumors is unknown. The
symptoms of childhood brain stem glioma vary and often depend
on the child’s age and where the tumor is located.
Other conditions may cause the same symptoms.
Loss of balance and trouble walking.
Vision and hearing problems.
Morning headache or headache that goes away after vomiting.  
  Nausea and vomiting.  
  Unusual sleepiness or change in energy level.  
  Tests that examine the brain are used to detect (find)  
childhood brain stem glioma.
Donate & Support
Sebastian Memorial Foundation
For Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
 
  Treatment Option Overview
Biological therapies
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Stem cell & bone marrow transplants
Supportive therapies
Surgery
 
    Educational Links
Recurrent Childhood Brain
Stem Glioma
Treatment Options for
 
    Family Support Programs
These programs are designed
  to encourage interaction
  among families of children with
  brain tumors, providing
  emotional support &
  encouragement.
  More
 
Better information. Better health.
  © 2008 Sebastian Memorial Foundation. All rights reserved.