Newly Diagnosed

We’re here to help you on your journey.

Learning more about your child’s brain tumor diagnosis will empower you to move forward and take an active part in making the best possible choices for your child's care. Here you'll find information to help you anticipate what’s needed in the first few months after your child's diagnosis.

Refine

Lumbar Puncture

A lumbar puncture procedure is used to collect a sample of the fluid that flows around the brain and spinal cord.

About Lumbar Punctures

A lumbar puncture procedure, or spinal tap, is used to collect a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a clear liquid that flows around the brain and spinal cord.

During this procedure, a doctor or nurse practitioner inserts a needle between the bones of the spine to draw out some of the fluid. This fluid is then checked under a microscope for the presence of cancer cells.

Talking to Your Child About Needles

Age-appropriate videos can help parents and caregivers talk with children about cancer. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Imaginary Friend Society is a series of short, animated videos that talk about cancer-related topics in a kid-friendly way. In the following video, an imaginary friend who doesn’t like needles shares their tips for how to handle shots.