ABSTRACT
Brain tumours are the most common solid tumour and the second most common malignancy in children under 15 years, only leukaemia being more prevalent. Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children under the age of 15 (Hargrave et al. 2004). The cause of brain tumours in children remains unknown, although possible contributing factors have been identified. Progress – although slower than in other forms of cancers, notably acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – has been made in the treatment and management of these children and has contributed to the overall reduction in mortality (Stewart and Cohen 1998). Unfortunately, the morbidity of physical and intellectual sequelae in children with brain tumours, from the effects of the tumour itself and aggressive treatments, is significant. Caring for children with brain tumours remains a challenge for healthcare professionals (Strother et al. 2002) with a crucial element of care centred around providing adequate and appropriate support to the child and family through diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow up (Freeman et al. 2000).
