Brain tumours

Question 1

What are the buzzwords for meningioma

Answer 1

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)

Question 2

What are the buzzwords for ependymoma

Answer 2

Ventricular tumor, hydrocephalus

Question 3

What are the buzzwords for pilocytic astrocytoma

Answer 3

Indolent (causing little pain), childhood

Question 4

What are the buzzwords for oligodendroma

Answer 4

soft, gelatinous, calcified

Question 5

What are the most common secondary brain tumour origin sites?

Answer 5

• Lung (small cell)

- Breast

Question 6

Briefly describe the pathology of von Hippel-Lindau familial syndrome.

Answer 6

• Hemangioblastoma of cerebellum, brainstem/ spinal cord, retina.
• Renal cysts
• Phaeochromocyomas- benign, adrenal glands. Pump catecholamines- sympathetic overactivity.
• VHL gene is a tumour suppressor on chromosome 3- normally prevents vessel development by regulating Hypoxia Inducible factor (HIF).

Autosomal dominant- but can also be de novo in 20%
Tumour development in CNS, Kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas.
Can also cause cyst development