A brain stem tumor is a tumor that is located in the brain stem, which is the part of the brain that connects it to the spinal cord. Brain stem tumors can represent a serious medical threat, due to the fact that the brain stem is critical to healthy function. The prognosis for a brain stem tumor is often very bleak, because these tumors are difficult to operate on and treat. For this reason, it is very important see a neurologist if you start to experience neurological symptoms, so that brain stem tumors can be identified as early as possible, along with tumors in other regions of the brain.

The brain stem includes the medulla oblangata, pons, and midbrain. If you visualize the shape of a brain when viewed from the side, the brain stem is the part in the back at the base of the brain, right where the brain and spinal cord intersect. The brain stem controls a number of physical functions including breathing, heart rate, muscle movements, and a variety of other involuntary tasks, such as digestion. Damage to the brain stem can interfere with the function of the brain stem and spinal cord, causing a variety of problems.

Brain stem tumors, also called brain stem gliomas, can arise anywhere in the brain stem. Some early signs of a brain stem tumor can include problems with control of the facial muscles, such as twitching, crossed eyes, and difficulty chewing and swallowing. A brain stem glioma will also lead to weakened muscles and a clumsy gait. The patient may feel like he or she is losing control of the body, which is actually a very accurate description of what happens as a tumor invades the brain stem.

Doctors diagnose brain stem tumors with the use of medical imaging studies which are used to look inside the area of interest without invasive surgery. If a patient presents with symptoms which seem to suggest a brain stem tumor, he or she may be asked to submit to an MRI or CT scan. X-rays, spinal taps, and other diagnostic tests may be used as well to learn more about the tumor and its location.

Once a brain stem tumor is diagnosed, the doctor can discuss treatment options with the patient. Typically, surgical removal of the tumor is not an option, because brain stem tumors are very difficult and often impossible to remove. As a result, radiation treatment in an attempt to shrink the tumor is usually the best choice for treatment. The patient may also be encouraged to use physical therapy to condition his or her body so that as function starts to decline, the patient will have better control. If the tumor does not respond to radiation, care is primarily palliative, aimed at keeping the patient comfortable.