Brain Tumours

Question 1

What is the difference between primary and secondary brain tumours?

Answer 1

Primary brain tumours - originate within the brain.

Secondary Brain tumours - come from a secondary site.

Question 2

What are some classifications of primary brain tumour?

Answer 2

Tumour of Neuroepithelial tissue - gliomas
Tumour of meninges - meningioma
Tumour of the pituitary - adenoma.

Question 3

Which cancers commonly metastasise in the brain?

Answer 3

Renal cell carcinoma
Lung carcinoma
Breast carcinoma
Malignant melanoma
GI tract cancers.

Question 4

What is Glioblastoma Multiforme?

Answer 4

Grade IV glioma - tumour derived in astrocytes.
Most common and aggressive glioma.
Spreads through white mater tracts and CSF pathway.

Question 5

What are the characteristics of Meningiomas?

Answer 5

Usually benign
Slow growing
Arise from arachnoid mater.
Common sites include falx, convexity and sphenoid.

Question 6

How may a pituitary adenoma present?

Answer 6

Visual disturbances - tumour compressing optic chiasma.

Hormone imbalances.

Question 7

How may brain tumours present?

Answer 7

Raised intracranial pressure
Focal neurological deficit
Epileptic fits
CSF obstruction - hydrocephalus

Question 8

What are some symptoms of raised ICP?

Answer 8

Headache - mass increases brain volume, less space within skull, pressure increases. 
Nausea/vomiting
Papillodema
Diplopia
6th nerve palsy
3rd nerve palsy
Blurred vision
Cognitive impairment
Altered consciousness.

Question 9

What is hydrocephalus?

Answer 9

Excess fluid on the brain. Raises intracranial pressure.

Question 10

What are some signs of a focal neurological deficit?

Answer 10

Hemiparesis
Dysphasia
Hemianopia
Endocrine disorders
Nerve palsies
Cognitive impairment.