Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment Overview

Childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes a large number of abnormal blood cells.
Leukemia and other diseases of the blood and bone marrow may affect red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Other myeloid diseases can affect the blood and bone marrow.
- Transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM)
- Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
- Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML)
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
AML or MDS may occur after treatment with certain chemotherapy drugs and/or radiation therapy.
The risk factors for childhood acute myeloid leukemia and other myeloid malignancies are similar.
Signs and symptoms of childhood acute myeloid leukemia and other myeloid malignancies include fever, feeling tired, and easy bleeding or bruising.
Tests that examine the blood and bone marrow are used to diagnose and find any spread of childhood acute myeloid leukemia and other myeloid malignancies.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Childhood

Vulvar cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the vulva.
Having vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia or HPV infection can increase the risk of vulvar cancer.
Signs of vulvar cancer include bleeding or itching in the vulvar area.
Tests that examine the vulva are used to diagnose vulvar cancer.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Vaginal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the vagina.
Older age and having an HPV infection are risk factors for vaginal cancer.
Signs and symptoms of vaginal cancer include pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Tests that examine the vagina and other organs in the pelvis are used to diagnose vaginal cancer.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Uterine sarcoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the muscles of the uterus or other tissues that support the uterus.
Past treatment with radiation therapy to the pelvis can increase the risk of uterine sarcoma.
Signs of uterine sarcoma include abnormal bleeding.
Tests that examine the uterus are used to diagnose uterine sarcoma.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Urethral cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the urethra.
There are different types of urethral cancer that begin in cells that line the urethra.
A history of bladder cancer can affect the risk of urethral cancer.
Signs of urethral cancer include bleeding or trouble with urination.
Tests that examine the urethra and bladder are used to diagnose urethral cancer.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Thyroid cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the thyroid gland.
Thyroid nodules are common but usually are not cancer.
There are different types of thyroid cancer.
Age, gender, and being exposed to radiation can affect the risk of thyroid cancer.
Medullary thyroid cancer is sometimes caused by a change in a gene that is passed from parent to child.
Signs of thyroid cancer include a swelling or lump in the neck.
Tests that examine the thyroid, neck, and blood are used to diagnose thyroid cancer.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are diseases in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the thymus.
Thymoma is linked with myasthenia gravis and other autoimmune paraneoplastic diseases.
Signs and symptoms of thymoma and thymic carcinoma include a cough and chest pain.
Tests that examine the thymus are used to help diagnose and stage thymoma and thymic carcinoma.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Testicular cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of one or both testicles.
Health history can affect the risk of testicular cancer.
Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include swelling or discomfort in the scrotum.
Tests that examine the testicles and blood are used to diagnose testicular cancer.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Treatment for testicular cancer can cause infertility.