Suspected brain tumour in children

Definition/Description

  • Brain tumours are the second most common cancer in childhood (after leukaemia), with 500 new cases diagnosed a year in the UK.
  • Presenting symptoms vary depending on the location of tumour and the age of the child.
  • 60% of survivors of childhood tumours have a residual neurological deficit (including blindness, hemiplegia and developmental impairment)
  • Improve your confidence: eLearning site for GPs: this well-designed e-learning resource has been jointly developed by the RCGP and RCPCH for improving recognition of symptoms and involves some case examples

Red Flag Symptoms

Symptoms to look out for in the various age groups (2 or more present- URGENT REFERRAL)

Symptoms include:

Under 5/ Preschool

5 – 11 Children

12 – 18/ Young People

Persistent / recurrent vomiting

Persistent / recurrent headache

Persistent / recurrent headache

Balance / co-ordination / walking problems

Persistent / recurrent vomiting

Persistent / recurrent vomiting

Abnormal eye movements

Balance / co-ordination / walking problems

Balance / co-ordination / walking problems

Behaviour change, particularly lethargy

Abnormal eye movements

Abnormal eye movements

Fits or seizures (not with a fever)

Blurred or double vision

Blurred or double vision

Abnormal head position such as wry neck, head tilt or stiff neck

Behaviour change

Behaviour change

Fits or seizures

Fits or seizures

Abnormal head position such as wry neck, head tilt or stiff neck

Delayed or arrested puberty, slow growth

Guidelines on Management

None provided

Referral Criteria/Information

Indications for referral

  • Follow the headsmart guide to age-sensitive symptoms.
  • Consider admission/ same day assessment for progressive symptoms via on-call Paediatric team.
  • Urgent Referral to paediatrics for one or at most two symptoms

Additional Resources & Reference

Patient information leaflets/ PDAs

  • Head smart: national charitable campaign to improve detection of brain tumours in childhood. Patient information and GP resources.
     

References

Associated Policies

There are no associated policies.

Specialties

Paediatrics York

Places covered by

  • vale-of-york

Hospital Trusts

  • york-and-scarborough-teaching-hospitals
Author: Responsible GP: Dr E Broughton
Date created: 17/09/2025, 13:45
Last modified: 17/09/2025, 13:46
Date of review: 30/9/24