Every child deserves to live a life without limits. Every parent deserves to witness their child reach their full potential. But, every day, pediatric brain tumors threaten kids’ futures. Together, we can create a brighter future for all children with brain tumors, and that starts with understanding the scope and severity of this disease.
A first-of-its-kind statistical report funded by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation underscores the urgent - and growing - need to address the lack of research funding, treatment advances and resources for children with brain tumors, survivors and their families. Click here to learn more about the results of the report and how we're addressing this growing public health crisis.
1. More children are diagnosed with pediatric brain tumors than any other childhood cancer.
2. Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of disease-related death for children and adolescents in the United States.
3. While new cases of brain tumors in adults are shrinking each year, incidence rates of pediatric brain tumors continue to grow.
4. The estimated number of children and adolescents in the United States living with the aftereffects of brain tumors has increased by 45% since 2010. Although mortality rates have increased, patients are living longer and the need for attention to survivorship and patients’ quality of life after treatment is greater than ever.
5. There are more than 40,000 children and adolescents living with a brain tumor in the United States.
6. Most children with brain tumors are treated with procedures and treatments developed more than 50 years ago specifically for adults. Very few drugs exist that are approved by the FDA for treatment of children with brain tumors.[1]
7. The average pediatric brain tumor survivor experiences 24 chronic health conditions by age 50, the highest of all childhood cancers. This is compared to the general public average of 9.2 chronic health conditions and overall childhood cancer survivor average of 17.1 chronic health conditions.[2]
8. Pediatric brain cancer doesn’t discriminate but is a disproportionate threat to children of color, who experience lower survival rates than white children.
9. There are significant disparities in the incidence of diagnosis and mortality rates among states in the U.S. Families’ access to treatment, environmental factors, and emphasis on pediatric cancer in state health policies warrant closer study.
10. There are more than 120 types of brain tumors in need of treatment advancements. Small patient populations for these individual tumor types, insufficient tissue samples, and a lack of research funding hinder the discovery and development of safer ways to diagnose and treat pediatric brain tumor patients.
Unless otherwise noted, statistics listed above are sourced from the CBTRUS Statistical Report of Childhood and Adolescent Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors.
Additional sources:
[1] FDA-approved drugs for childhood cancer, National Cancer Institute
[2] Cumulative burden of surviving childhood cancer: An initial report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study, The Lancet
There are many different types of pediatric brain tumors, and the types of brain tumors children get are usually different than the types of brain tumors adults get.
Pediatric brain tumor symptoms can vary from child to child, depending on the tumor type, location, and size. They also can be mistaken for symptoms of another health condition.
While surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are common ways to treat pediatric brain tumors, it all depends on the kind of brain tumor, where it's located, and a child's age.
Whatever form your gift takes, you can be confident your generosity will help lead the way toward a future without childhood brain cancer. Learn more about the different ways you can donate and make a difference.
Join our efforts at the national and state level to educate policymakers and the public about the critical issues families face and the need for more research funding.
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