Brain tumours are the second commonest form of childhood malignancy. In Hong Kong, around 25 to 40 children below 15 years are diagnosed to have various types of brain tumours each year. But the term "brain tumour" in fact includes a heterogeneous group of tumours and their classification, diagnostic criteria, treatment modalities and outcome have undergone major changes in the past 2 decades. In this review, the objectives are to provide brief and update information on various developments in these areas. These will include: 1) the recent consensus in the classification of childhood brain tumours; 2) the current epidemiology of children with brain tumours, both locally and aboard; 3) the current hypotheses on the pathogenesis of some common paediatric brain tumours; 4) the common presenting features of the commonest types of childhood brain tumours locally; 5) the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and lastly; 6) the commonly encountered long-term sequalae among paediatric brain tumours survivors. In summary, many common forms of childhood brain tumours found locally can be cured nowadays. Current challenge is to further improve the outcome in those with poor outcome and minimise therapy related toxicity in those with good prognosis.
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