Brain Tumors in Children: Treatment Options in Switzerland

Brain tumors in children are a serious condition that requires comprehensive and high-quality treatment. Switzerland has gained a reputation in the European community for its advanced diagnostic and treatment methods for this disease. 

Tumors of the brain and spinal cord - tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) - are the most common type of tumor in children and account for about 20% of all cancers in patients under 15 years of age. There are many different types of brain tumors. They can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). For all children, among whom we CorSwiss recommend a clinic for the treatment of various types of CNS tumors, our goal remains the same - to choose the best doctors and a clinic that maximizes the speed of treatment, as well as the quality of life of the child.
It is where your child receives primary treatment that it is important to ensure a good outcome. Complete elimination of the tumor without secondary neurological effects is crucial to increasing the chances of your child's full recovery.

Symptoms

Different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions of the body, such as movement, vision, speech, and many others. Since the space inside the skull is limited, signs and symptoms of a brain tumor usually develop when the tumor grows and destroys or presses on healthy brain tissue.
Symptoms of a brain tumor in children vary greatly depending on the location of the tumor and its size.
Brain tumors often cause headaches, seizures, and changes in behavior as they block the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, causing increased pressure inside the skull.
Brain tumors can cause seizures.
Tumors that occur in the brainstem often cause weakness in the head and neck.
Keep in mind that the symptoms of a brain tumor often resemble those caused by other diseases. If your child experiences these symptoms and is having trouble, talk to your doctor.

Diagnosis of brain tumors in children

Clinics recommended by CorSwissexperts diagnose tumors and treat children and adolescents with any type of brain tumor. Innovative treatment methods are selected for each patient, taking into account the individual characteristics of the child and the disease. 

Getting the right diagnosis is the most important first step in ensuring your child receives the most appropriate treatment. After a child has clinical symptoms that may be caused by a brain tumor, such as CT or MRI, are performed in Swiss clinics. This data helps diagnostic doctors determine the location of the tumor, its type, and plan either its removal or a biopsy. Clinics also perform DNA methylation - a diagnostic tool that significantly increases the accuracy of diagnostics compared to standard methods.

Before starting treatment, doctors conduct a thorough examination, taking into account the child's individual characteristics, the stage of the disease, and other factors that may affect the outcome of treatment.

Types of tumors

Tumors that form in the tissues and cells of a child's brain are called primary brain tumors. In some cases, a tumor that enters other parts of the body and blood can affect the brain, but this is not common in children.The following is a list of some of the types of primary brain tumors found in children

Astrocytomas (gliomas)

Comprising nearly half of all brain tumors in childhood, astrocytomas arise from brain cells resembling astrocytes, star-shaped CNS cells. Historically, astrocytomas were categorized into the following types:

•  Low-grade astrocytomas, including Grade 1 (juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas) and Grade 2 (diffuse astrocytomas);
• High-grade astrocytomas encompass Grade 3 astrocytomas (anaplastic astrocytomas) and Grade 4 astrocytomas (glioblastomas).

However, in recent times, the traditional classification has evolved due to molecular-genetic markers, significantly enhancing diagnosis, prognosis determination, and treatment.
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG) are highly malignant astrocytomas arising in a very delicate part of the brain.
Surgical intervention is often contraindicated, and patients are typically treated solely with radiation therapy.

Ependymomas

Ependymomas develop from ependymal cells lining the brain ventricles (a series of cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid). Children with ependymomas that cannot be fully removed surgically often undergo chemotherapy. Although there is no treatment specific to ependymomas, radiation therapy is an extremely important part of the standard treatment plan.

Medulloblastomas and Other Embryonal Brain Tumors (formerly known as PNET)

Approximately 20% of childhood brain tumors are medulloblastomas and other embryonal tumors, believed by doctors to arise from undifferentiated stem cells in the brain. They are highly malignant, but with appropriate treatment, many children can be cured. Medulloblastomas usually present with headaches and vomiting. Sometimes a child's behavior changes and their school performance worsens. Diagnosis is made through CT or MRI and confirmed by pathological examination after surgical tumor removal. Treatment usually involves surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Germ Cell Tumors

Germ cell tumors, as the name implies, arise from germ cells that during normal embryo development form either in egg cells or sperm. Regarding germ cell tumors located in the brain, embryonal germ cells travel to the brain with blood, where they transform into tumors. Most commonly found in children, germ cell tumors include several different types of tumors (germinomas, endodermal sinus tumors, and choriocarcinomas). Their symptoms depend on the location, but tumors in the pineal region usually present with headaches and vomiting, especially in the morning. Tumors in the area of the pituitary gland usually come with hormonal disturbances, especially increased urination and thirst. Sometimes a child may show behavioral changes and a decline in school performance. Most of them are malignant tumors, but they are often curable with modern treatment methods, which may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or DIPG is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor that grows in the brainstem, the area connecting the brain to the spine. DIPG is usually diagnosed between the ages of five and seven and is one of the most aggressive CNS tumors.
Due to its fast-growing nature, symptoms manifest very quickly and often worsen. DIPG usually causes vision and balance problems in children.
For all types of cancer, doctors use the body's natural immune system and direct it towards cancer cells: they fight the malignant disease just as the body fights a virus.
As for neuroblastoma immunotherapy, monoclonal antibodies developed in the laboratory identify and destroy cancer cells that have survived chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Thanks to advancements in treatment, over 50% of children treated in clinics overcome neuroblastoma compared to less than 5% in the 1980s.

Rare Tumors

Occasionally, pathologists diagnose specific types of central nervous system tumors that are rarely encountered. Working with clinics worldwide, our team of doctors offers clinics where rare cases are treated. Examples of these tumors include atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), choroid plexus carcinoma, embryonal tumors with multilayered rosettes, and craniopharyngioma.

Genetic Testing

Swiss clinics offer patients the most advanced genetic tests. These tests can identify genetic mutations and other changes that may cause cancer. They can provide a lot of information crucial for diagnosis, prognosis, and choosing the right treatment.

Methods of treating brain tumors in children in Switzerland

Clinics recommended by CorSwiss  offer treatment for every type of brain and spinal cord tumor. An expert team will work with the clinic's doctors and your family to create a personalized treatment plan. The clinic for treating your child brings together neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, radiation oncologists, and neuroradiologists.

This team of medical professionals works together to achieve the best outcome for your child, doing everything possible to give your child the best chances of recovery and a high quality of life.

A child's recovery depends on several factors. They include the type and location of the tumor and whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized) CorSwiss  experts work with you every step of the way to provide you with information and support during and after treatment.

We understand that you may have questions and concerns about your child's treatment plan. Our specialists are available around the clock, seven days a week, to answer your questions.

Surgery

The best outcomes for treating children with brain and spinal cord tumors depend on the right treatment strategy. Our goal is to select the most effective treatment with minimal risk. Recommended pediatric neurosurgeons are among the most experienced in this field. They are renowned specialists who use the most advanced techniques for treating brain and spinal cord tumors in children.

Radiation Therapy

The goal of radiation therapy is to safely reduce or eliminate growths, including those that cannot be removed surgically. There are many types of radiation therapy and surgery. The treatment methods that are most suitable for your child depend on the type of cancer, the location of the tumor, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. For children who may benefit from radiation therapy, we treat them with great care to protect as much healthy tissue as possible. New methods and a high level of knowledge allow our pediatric radiation oncologists to treat brain and spinal cord tumors more effectively. This way, we can eliminate the tumor with minimal damage to healthy cells and the least risk of side effects.

Let's consider the most common types of radiation therapy.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

This specialized form of treatment delivers a high dose of radiation. It usually takes one to five sessions instead of several smaller doses over a long period on a regular machine.

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

Using computer programs, we can calculate and deliver different doses of radiation directly to the tumor from different angles at higher, more effective doses. IMRT reduces side effects and minimizes the impact on surrounding healthy tissues and organs.

Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT)

this intensive treatment is performed during surgery. The device delivers direct radiation to tumors while preserving surrounding healthy tissues. IORT can treat tumors that are difficult to completely remove during surgery. This allows the use of higher, more effective doses of radiation compared to conventional radiation therapy. During IORT, the surgeon can temporarily move adjacent organs to protect them from radiation exposure.
These types of radiation therapy are available thanks to the innovative Varian system (USA) installed in advanced oncology centers.
Proton Therapy: This form of radiation therapy has emerged recently. A narrow beam destroys tumors by delivering charged particles, protons, directly to cancer cells. The pinpoint nature of proton therapy minimizes radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue. It also reduces the risk of side effects.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of medications to destroy, stop, or slow the spread of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be effective for certain types of brain and spinal cord tumors. There are many chemotherapy drugs. If our doctors recommend chemotherapy for your child, we develop a personalized treatment plan that gives the best chances of successful treatment.

Molecular Tumor Analysis

In addition to performing traditional biopsies, we recommend studying the genetic mutations of the tumor and its molecular composition. These tests can provide information to refine the child's treatment plan. We offer the most advanced genetic tests.

Assessment of Treatment Effectiveness and Rehabilitation in Swiss Clinics

One of the features of treating brain tumors in children in Switzerland is a multifaceted approach to each patient. Doctors develop individual treatment programs, taking into account both the biological characteristics of the tumor and the psychological state and needs of the child and their family.

We involve experts in all aspects of child development: academic, emotional, and social. Brain tumors, radiation therapy, chemo- and hormonal therapy can lead to cognitive impairments. Our pediatric neuropsychology specialists regularly conduct neurocognitive assessments to notice any changes in your child's attention, memory, or other aspects of thinking. We can identify the most likely causes and provide recommendations to help your child. We can discuss any support your child may need in school due to these changes. In some cases, medications can help reduce some aspects of cognitive difficulties.
 The treatment of brain tumors in children requires highly qualified medical professionals, modern equipment, and innovative techniques. Switzerland offers world-class medical care in this area, providing children with brain tumors access to advanced diagnostic and treatment methods, as well as a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and support.

The treatment of brain tumors in children in Switzerland is not only aimed at fighting the disease but also at ensuring the maximum quality of life for the patient after treatment.