Brain tumors

Question 1

astrocytoma. what is it? where most common?

Answer 1

benign tumors that form cysts or are enclosed in a cyst. from astrocytes. most common 3rd-4th decade, usually frontal lobe brain, also BG, temporal, parietal, occipital. slow growing. grade I and grade II.

Question 2

glioblastoma multiforme

Answer 2

most common adult brain neoplasm, 5th-6th decade. grade IV. rapidly growing and highly malignant. usually frontal lobe, also temporal, parietal, occipital. rare: cerebellum, brain stem, spinal cord. tx: radiation and surgery. poor prognosis. survival 12-18mo from diagnosis.

Question 3

oligodendrogliomas

Answer 3

primarily frontal lobe, 3rd-4th decade. boundaries undefined. seizure/ headache first signs. Tx: partial excision combined with RT. survival 5-10 years.

Question 4

meningiomas

Answer 4

slow growing, encapsulated, highly vascular, benign tumor. can be malignant. originate arachnoid granulations. 3rd-6th decade life, women more. Tx: surgery, radiation, chemo.

Question 5

vestibular schwannomas

Answer 5

benign, slow growing in schwann cells. 3rd-4th decade. symptoms auditory/vestib. also CN V and VII. Tx: surgery. good prognosis with surgery.

Question 6

metastatic brain tumors

Answer 6

most common from lung, then breast. Tx: chemo, radiation, surgery, steroids.

Question 7

ependymomas and ependymoblastomas

Answer 7

cells lining ventricle. 66% posterior fossa. common children, spread via CSF. onset first decade. Tx: surgical resection and radiation, also chemo. frequently recur prognosis dependent on resection.

Question 8

medulloblastomas

Answer 8

in cerebellum. grow into 4th ventricle, blocking CSF and causing hydrocephalus, usually children. bone mets in 90%. poor prognosis children under 4years. Tx: surgery, radiation, chemo.

Question 9

pituitary adenomas

Answer 9

benign epithelial tumors. frequently move into optic chiasm. rare before puberty. more female. Tx: surgery, drug therapy. prognosis related to size and cell type of tumor. near CN3 and CN4.