Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Nervous System > Brain Tumours > Flashcards

Brain Tumours Flashcards

1
Q

Name the two classification of brain tumours and what is the difference?

A

Primary (arise from brain tissue) and secondary (metastases from other areas)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Name three different types of primary brain tumours

A
  • Glioma - neuroepithelial tissue
  • Meningioma - meninges
  • Adenoma - pituitary
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Name the commonest tumours that spread to the brain

A
  • Renal cell carcinoma
  • Lung carcinoma
  • Breast carcinoma
  • Malignant melanoma
  • GI tract
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Name is a difference between primary and secondary brain tumours which will be apparent on a scan?

A

Primary will usually be singluar and secondary is multiple

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What do gliomas arise from?

A

Gliomas are derived from astrocytes (structural and nutritional support to nerve cells)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the features of gliomas?

A

WHO grade I-IV

Grade IV:
• Most common
• Most aggressive
• Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)
• Spread by tracking through white mater and CSF pathway
• Very rarely spread systemically (to body)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the characteristics of meningiomas?

A
  • Slow growing
  • Extra-axial
  • Usually benign
  • Arise from arachnoid
  • Frequently occur along falx, convexity, or sphenoid bone
  • Usually cured if completely removed
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the most common pituitary tumour?

A

Adenoma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the presentation of a pituitary tumour?

A
  • Visual disturbance due to compression of optic chiasma (bitemporal hemianopia)
  • Hormone imbalance
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the clinical presentation of brain tumours?

A
  • Raised intracranial pressure
  • Focal neurological deficiT
  • Epileptic fits
  • CSF obstruction
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the symptoms of raised ICP?

A
  • Headache (typically morning headache)
  • Nausea / vomiting
  • Visual disturbance (diplopia, blurred vision)
  • Somnolence
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Altered consciousness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the signs of ICP?

A
  • Papilloedema
  • 6th nerve palsy
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Altered consciousness
  • 3rd nerve palsy
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What kind of brain tumours cause hydrocephalous?

A
  • Tumours in or close to CSF pathways
  • Especially posterior fossa tumours
  • Especially in children
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the signs of focal neurological deficit?

A
  • Hemiparesis
  • Dysphagia
  • Hemianopia
  • Cognitive impairment (memory, sense of direction)
  • Cranial nerve palsy
  • Endocrine disorders
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

A 66 year old, left handed, woman presents with ataxia and 
in-coordination. 
Where would you suspect
her lesion to be?

  1. Left frontal lobe
  2. Right frontal lobe
  3. Brain stem
  4. Cerebellum
A

Cerebellum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

A 44 year old, right handed, woman presents with acalculia, agraphia,
finger agnosia and right/left confusion.
 Where would you suspect her lesion to be?

  1. Left parietal lobe
  2. Right parietal lobe
  3. Left occipital lobe
  4. Cerebellum
A
  1. Left parietal lobe

Gerstmann’s syndrome occurs with left (dominant) parietal lobe lesions

17
Q

A 30 year old, right handed, man presents with a bitemporal hemianopia. Where would you suspect
his lesion to be?

  1. Right frontal lobe
  2. Pituitary
  3. Left optic nerve
  4. Right occipital lobe
A
  1. Pituitary

Compression of optic chiasma

18
Q

Presented to medical team with cognitive language dysfunction:

  • Difficulty reading emails
  • Difficulty expressing what he wished to say
  • Short-term memory impairment

Where is the lesion?

  1. Left temporo-parietal area
  2. Right fronto-temporal area
  3. Left occipital lobe
  4. Right parietal lobe
A
  1. Left temporo-parietal area
19
Q

What are the two classifications of epilepsy?

A

Focal and generalised

20
Q

What are the features of epilepsy?

A
  • Only in lesions above tentorium (cerebrum)
  • First fit - 20% chance of tumour
  • Draws attention to possibility of tumour
  • Indicates location of tumour
21
Q

What investigations are carried out if you suspect metastases?

A
  • CT chest/abdo/pelvis
  • Mammography
  • Biopsy skin lesions/lymph nodes
22
Q

What are the management goals?

A 
• Accurate tissue diagnosis
• Improve quality of life
- Decreasing mass effect/
- Improve neurological deficit
• Aid effect of adjuvant therapy (if required)
• Prolong life expectancy
23
Q

Name non-specific management options

A
  • Corticosteroids (dexamethasone)
  • Treat epilepsy (anticonvulsant drugs)
  • Analgesics / antiemetics
  • Counselling
  • Surgery
  • Radiotherapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Endocrine replacement
24
Q

What can be used to manage Glioblastoma multiforme?

A
  • Complete surgical excision impossible - biopsy or debulk only
  • Medical - steroids, anticonvulsants
  • Radiotherapy
  • Chemotherapy - temazolamide
25
Q

What is the prognosis of a meningioma?

A

Commonly cured by surgery - may require anticonvulsants

26
Q

What is the prognosis of astrocytomas?

A
  • Low grade - long life expectancy

* High grade/GBM - average 1yr survival

27
Q

When do you not carry out a lumbar puncture?

A

When there are signs and symptoms to suggest an intracranial mass lesion

28
Q

4th October presented to ED with decreased level of consciousness
• 1/12 of “slowing down”
• Making uncharacteristic mistakes at work
• 4 day history of drowsiness
• Headache and nauseated

  • GSC 11 e3v3m5
  • Pupils equal and reactive to light
  • No apparent focal neurological signs
  • Mild pyrexia (37.5°C)
  • Examination of chest/abdomen/breast normal
  • No palpable lymphadenopathy or skin lesions

What investigation do you do next?

  1. Lumbar puncture (LP)
  2. CT/MRI brain
  3. CXR
  4. Full blood count
A
  1. CT/MRI brain

Do not carry out LP if symptoms suggest intracranial mass lesion

29
Q

Why are possible consequences of a lumbar puncture in someone who has a suspected intracranial lesion?

A
  • You might cause meningitis
  • You might cause a herniation syndrome and the patient could die
  • You might cause an air embolism
  • You might make the patient’s headache worse

Nervous System (47 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions