7 June CNS Tumors

Question 1

Where do adult cns tumors generally form?

Answer 1

Supratentorial

Question 2

Where do kid cns tumors general form?

Answer 2

Infratentorial

Question 3

What are the primary types of cells in the brain?

Answer 3

50% Glial cells and 50% Neurons
Astrocytes: BBB
Oligodendrocytes: myelin sheath
Ependymal cells: line ventricles
Meningothelial cells: line brain
Neurons

Question 4

What are the tumors derived from astrocytes and general features?

Answer 4

Glioblastoma multiforme: malignant, adults, crosses corpus callosum, poor prognosis

Pilocytic astrocytoma: kids, benign, in cerebellum, cystic with mural nodule

Question 5

What tumors are derived from meningothelial cells and general features?

Answer 5

Meningioma: adult women, in meninges, benign, no invasion, just mass effect, has estrogen receptors

Question 6

What tumors are derived from oligodendrocytes and general features?

Answer 6

Oligodendroglioma: adults, malignant, calcified tumor in white matter usually involving the frontal lobe, can present with seizures

Question 7

What tumors are derived from neurons and general features?

Answer 7

Medulloblastoma: kids (because only their neurons are dividing actively enough to have tumor potential), malignant, in cerebellum, grows rapidly, poor prognosis, spreads via csf often to cauda equina

Question 8

What tumors are derived from ependymal cells and general features?

Answer 8

Ependymoma: malignant, kids, 4th ventricle leading to hydrocephalus

Question 9

What tumor is the most common primary malignant tumor in adults?

Answer 9

Glioblastoma multiforme

Question 10

What benign tumor is common in adult women and is found in the meninges?

Answer 10

Meningioma

Question 11

What tumor is known for crossing the corpus callosum?

Answer 11

Glioblastoma multiforme

Question 12

What tumor commonly involves the cranial nerves and leads to deafness on presentation?

Answer 12

Schwannoma

These cells myelinate peripheral nerves, therefore makes sense that this would involve the CN’s

Question 13

What malignant tumor presents in adults as a calcified tumor of the white matter usually involving the frontal lobe and leading to seizures?

Answer 13

Oligodendroglioma

Remember these cells myelinate the axons of the CNS and therefore will be found in the white matter

Question 14

What malignant tumor is often found in the 4th ventricle in kids leading to hydrocephalus?

Answer 14

Ependymoma

Question 15

What malignant tumor in kids is found in the cerebellum, grows rapidly, has a poor prognosis, and often metastasizes via CSF?

Answer 15

Medulloblastoma

Question 16

What tumor in kids arises from remnants of Rathke’s pouch and is a supratentorial mass in kids or young adult leading to compression of the optic nerve leading to bitemporal hemianopsia?

Answer 16

Craniopharyngioma
Only CNS tumor in kids that is supratentorial
Calcifications common
Benign, but often recurs after resection

Question 17

Describe features of Schwannoma

Answer 17

Benign tumor, adults, CN’s, often CN VIII leading to loss of hearing

Question 18

Describe Oligodendroglioma

Answer 18

Malignant, adults, white matter, frontal lobe, calcified, seizures, fried egg histology

Question 19

Describe Medulloblastoma

Answer 19

Kids, malignant, grows fast, poor prognosis, spreads, cerebellum, neuroectoderm cells,

Question 20

Describe Ependymoma

Answer 20

Kids, malignant, 4th ventricle leading to hydrocephalus,

Question 21

Describe Glioblastoma multiforme

Answer 21

Adults, malignant, astrocytes, crosses midline through corpus callosum, GFAP positive,

Question 22

Describe meningioma

Answer 22

Adult women, benign, in meninges, seizures, no invasion, has estrogen receptors

Question 23

Describe craniopharyngioma

Answer 23

kids and young adults, calcified, bitemporal hemianopsia, often recurs after resection, remnant of Rathke’s pouch

Question 24

Describe pilocytic astrocytoma

Answer 24

Kids, benign, cystic lesion with mural nodule in cerebellum, from astrocytes, GFAP positive, hydrocephalus, eosinophilic granular bodies