What Are the Causes of Brain Cancer in Children?

Brain tumors are defined as cancer of the brain and parts of the spinal cord. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), brain and spinal cord tumors account for 21 percent of childhood cancers. However, doctors are not entirely certain what causes brain cancer in children.

DNA Changes

• Though there is some evidence that point to DNA changes and alterations in kids with brain cancer, there is not enough information available to determine what causes those changes.

Environmental Factors

• According to the ACS, genetic and environmental factors appear to have very little effect on the presence of brain cancer, except in children who have been exposed to radiation to the head.

Family History

• Children with certain rare diseases in their family history, such as Von Hippel-Lindau disease, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and tuberous sclerosis, may be at more of a risk for brain cancer.

Time Frame

• According to the National Institutes of Health, brain tumors rarely develop in the first year of life.

Research

• According to the ACS, further research must be conducted to find the causes of brain cancer in children.