brain tumours Flashcards
1
Q
what are the most locations for childhood brain tumours?
what tissue type do they tend to be?
A
- 75% are infratentorial or midline
- better outcome than in adulthood
- astrocytomas (43%)
- only 15% are high grade
2
Q
what conditions increase the risk of brain cancer?
A
- neurofibromatosis
- Hippel-Landau
- tuberous sclerosis
- retinoblastoma
3
Q
what are PNETs? give two examples
A
- primary neuroectodermal tumours
- medulloblastoma
- pineoblastoma
4
Q
what kind of headache might they have?
A
- early morning
- worsening
- worse when walking
5
Q
what kind of symptoms might they have?
A
- n and v
- abnormal gait and co-ordination
- raised ICP: papilloedema, change in size of pupils, early morning headache, vomiting
- FTT
- visual defects
- seizures
- weight loss
- macrocephaly
6
Q
how quickly should a child be referred if suspected brain tumour?
what blood markers can be picked up for what tumour?
A
- 48 hours
- MRI preferred
- excision biopsy
- AFP and hCG for pineal tumours
7
Q
what is the management?
A
- total surgical resection in gliomas
- phenytoin to prevent seizures
- drain or shunt to prevent hydrocephalus
- radio/chemotherapy
8
Q
what are the complications of brain tumours?
A
- intellectual decline
- growth hormone deficiency
- cavernomas
