Childhood Brain Tumours
FINDING A CURE FOR CHILDHOOD BRAIN TUMOURS
One in three children who die of cancer are killed by a brain tumour. This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Brain Tumour Research is working with families to raise awareness and shine a spotlight on the historic underfunding of research into this devastating disease.
We are leading the way to increase the national investment in research to help improve outcomes. You can help us fund the fight and find a cure for all types of brain tumours by donating today or keep reading for more ways to get involved.
Fact File: Brain tumours in children
- One in three children who die of cancer are killed by a brain tumour
- Brain tumours kill more children than leukaemia
- Symptoms can include headaches, nausea and vomiting, changes in vision and loss of balance
- Treatment depends on the type of brain tumour, size and its location in the brain
- Depending on the circumstances, children diagnosed with brain tumours might be treated with surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy or a combination of two or more of these
- Medulloblastoma is the most common type of high-grade paediatric brain tumour and occurs more often in boys than in girls
- Diffuse midline glioma – previously known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) or brain stem glioma – is the deadliest form of childhood cancer with a median survival of between eight and 12 months
- In 2021, the World Health Organization recategorised paediatric brain tumours (as well as adult tumours) due to an increased understanding of these tumours at a genetic and molecular level. It created a new group known as paediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas (PDHGG), which includes tumours formally known as paediatric glioblastoma (GBM) and DIPG
Jasmine ‘The Warrior Princess’ endured gruelling chemo and radiotherapy, and has more alternative treatment ahead, after being given a life-limiting diagnosis. Read her story here.
George was just 22 months old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Despite surgery, chemo and radiotherapy he died, aged five. Read his story here.
Sarah’s family is searching for ways to help the seven-year-old, who has a diffuse midline glioma, after having to discontinue treatment overseas. Read more here.
We’re leading the way in research to find a cure
Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK dedicated to funding continuous and sustainable scientific research into brain tumours. We are building a network of Centres of Excellence across the UK where scientists are working to further our understanding of brain tumours.
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)
Professor Chris Jones, and his team at the Institute of Cancer Research, located in Sutton, Surrey, are studying paediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas, a collection of brain tumours in children and young adults with an extremely poor clinical outcome.
Read more Show lessQueen Mary University of London
The Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London is investigating group 4 medulloblastoma tumours, ependymoma and DIPG (also known as diffuse midline glioma). These tumours primarily affect children and have some of the lowest survival rates of all cancers.
Imperial College London
Already established as a lead location for arginine deprivation studies in adult glioblastoma (GBM), the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at Imperial College London is expanding its investigations of the effect of arginine deprivation and radiation to include diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) – more recently referred to as diffuse midline glioma.
University of Plymouth
The Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth is working on a number of projects to understand more about ependymomas, a glioma tumour that can occur in adults and children but is more common in children. Only 72.8% children will survive their tumour for five years or more (2012-2016).
Read more Show lessYou can help us get closer to a cure
We still need your help. Your support enables us to fund this vital research at our Centres of Excellence and sustains our campaigning to increase the national investment into brain tumour research.
- Donate now or set up a monthly donation to help build our research capacity
- Sign our petition calling on the Government to increase funding into brain tumour research
- Join one of our Walk of Hope events this September or hold your own wherever you are
- Fundraise your way and do your own thing to help raise money and awareness
- Become part of our passionate community of campaigners calling for change
Together we will find a cure.
