Pediatric Chordomas: Causes & Care

Pediatric Chordomas: Causes & Care Chordomas are rare tumors that grow slowly. They happen in the spine and skull base bones. In kids, they are called pediatric spinal tumors. They are hard to diagnose and treat because they affect growing children.

It’s important to know about pediatric chordomas in pediatric oncology. These tumors need special care for the best results. We will look into what causes them and how to treat them in kids.

Introduction to Pediatric Chordomas

Pediatric chordomas are very rare bone tumors. They mostly happen in the spine or skull base. They act differently in kids because kids grow and develop fast. Knowing this helps doctors treat them better.

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These tumors are much rarer in kids than in adults. This makes finding them hard. Kids might feel back pain, but doctors might think it’s just a normal kid thing. This can make finding the real problem late.

Kids with chordomas often have ongoing back pain and may lose some nerve functions. This can really hurt a child’s life. Catching these signs early can make a big difference in how well they do later.

Doctors and parents need to know the signs of chordomas in kids. This helps kids get help faster and get better care. By understanding the differences, we can give kids the right care they need.

The table below shows some main differences between chordomas in kids and adults:

Causes of Pediatric Chordomas

The cause of chordoma tumors in kids is still a mystery. Both genes and environment play big roles. Scientists are working hard to learn more about these tumors.

Genetic Factors

Genetic changes are linked to chordoma tumors in kids. Research points to certain gene mutations and changes. Kids with a family history of these tumors might be more likely to get them.

Environmental Influences

Environmental factors might also play a part in chordoma tumors in kids. Things like chemicals or radiation could be involved. Knowing this helps us find ways to prevent these tumors.

Symptoms of Pediatric Chordomas

Kids with chordomas show clear signs early on. It’s key to spot these signs fast for the best treatment. The main symptoms are pain in the spine and problems with the nervous system.

Spinal Pain and Discomfort

First, kids might feel constant pain in their spine. This pain can be very bad and only hurts where the tumor is. At first, it might be ignored, but it gets worse over time. Parents should watch for:

• Severe and continuous back pain
• Pain that is resistant to common pain relief measures
• Pain worsening at night or during rest

Spotting this pain early is key to finding out if a child has a chordoma.

Neurological Symptoms

As the tumor grows, it can touch nerves and spinal parts. This leads to neurological symptoms like:

• Weakness in the limbs
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Balance and coordination issues
• Numbness or tingling sensations

These signs, along with ongoing back pain, mean it’s time to see a doctor fast. Catching these symptoms early can really help with treatment.

Spotting these signs early and getting medical help quickly is very important for kids with chordomas.

Diagnosing Chordoma Tumors in Children

Diagnosing pediatric chordoma needs a team of experts. They use many imaging methods and look closely at tissue samples. This helps find tumors early and accurately.

Advanced imaging techniques are key in spotting chordoma tumors in kids. These methods give clear pictures that help tell chordomas apart from other tumors. The main tools used are:

• MRI Scans: These give detailed views of soft tissues around the spine and brain.
• CT Scans: They show detailed pictures of the skull and spine’s bones.

Diagnosing chordoma in kids is tricky because of their growing bodies. It’s important to do these tests carefully. This way, doctors can make sure they find the tumor right and plan the best treatment.

Advanced Imaging Techniques

Advanced imaging is key in finding and treating chordomas in kids. MRI scans and CT scans are vital for spotting and understanding these complex tumors. They show where the tumor is, how big it is, and how far it spreads.

MRI Scans

MRI scans are great for seeing soft tissues in the spine. They use strong magnets and radio waves to make clear images. This helps doctors see tiny problems in kids.

They are key in showing the tumor’s edges and checking if it presses on the spinal cord. This info helps doctors plan the best treatment.

CT Scans

CT scans use X-rays to make detailed pictures of the body. They give a different view than MRI scans. They’re good at showing the bones near a pediatric spinal tumor.

They can tell apart hard parts and soft parts of the tumor. This helps doctors understand the tumor better. CT scans are also fast, making them great for first checks and planning surgery.

Chordomas in Pediatric: Treatment Approaches

Treating chordomas in kids needs a special plan. This plan looks at each child’s growth and future. We’ll talk about the different ways to treat these tumors in kids.

1. Surgery: Surgery is often the first step. Thanks to minimally invasive surgery, kids can heal faster and have less scar. Doctors at places like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital use these new methods to remove tumors well. Sometimes, open surgery is needed for big or hard tumors.

2. Radiation Therapy: After surgery, radiation helps kill any leftover cancer cells. Proton therapy is precise and safe for kids. The Mayo Clinic uses this method to protect healthy tissue around the tumor.

3. Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapies: Chemotherapy is not always the first choice but can be used in some cases. New targeted therapies are giving hope. They work against cancer cells by blocking important pathways.

Having a team of experts is key for treating chordomas in kids. Doctors, oncologists, and surgeons work together for the best care. New methods like minimally invasive surgery and targeted therapies are helping kids more.

Surgical Options for Pediatric Chordomas

Surgery is a key treatment for chordomas in kids. The main aim is to remove the whole tumor. This helps improve the child’s chances of getting better and lowers the risk of the tumor coming back. The choice between less invasive and open surgery depends on the tumor’s size, where it is, and the child’s health.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Less invasive surgery has many benefits. It uses smaller cuts, which means less pain and a faster recovery for kids. This method is best when the chordoma is easy to get to and small.

But, it’s not always the right choice for every tumor. Doctors use high-tech images to help with these surgeries. This makes sure they remove the tumor well.

Open Surgery

Open surgery is used for bigger or harder chordomas. It lets surgeons see and reach the tumor better. This method takes longer to recover from because of the bigger cuts. But, it’s sometimes needed for tumors that are hard to get to.

Doctors usually pick open surgery if the tumor is close to important nerves or blood vessels. They look at the risks and benefits carefully. This helps them choose the best way to help the child.

Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Spinal Tumors

Pediatric Chordomas: Causes & Care Radiation therapy is key in treating spinal tumors in kids when surgery can’t remove all the tumor. Proton beam therapy is a top choice. It targets chordomas well, hurting less healthy tissue nearby. This is great for kids because their growing bodies are more sensitive to radiation.

Research shows radiation therapy helps kids with spinal tumors live longer. But, we must think about the risks. Kids might feel tired or get skin problems now, or grow slower or get new cancers later. Still, using radiation therapy carefully can help kids with chordomas live better.

New ways to give radiation are being developed, giving hope to kids and their families. Doctors use the latest radiation therapy to help kids with spinal tumors. They work hard to make treatments better and increase survival rates for kids with chordomas. Their goal is to give kids a healthier future.