Brain Tumours Flashcards
How many brain tumours per year
11,000
How are tumours classified
Primary (originated in brain) vs secondary (Metastases)
Intratentorial (below tent) vs supratentorial (above tent)
What forms of tumour are more common in children
Medullablatomas
Astrocytoma
(Infratentorial)
What tumours are more common in adults
Meningiomas
Metastaces
Gliomas
(Supratentorial)
What are some symptoms of brain tumours
Intracranial pressure headaches which are worse in the morning and cause nausea
How many people admitted with a headache have a tumour
<0.1%
What are two different types of seizure
Localised- one area eg arm
Generalised- effects whole body
What must brain tumours be differentially diagnosed from
Trauma (haematoma)
Infections (HIV which can cause swelling )
Vascular (aneurysm)
Inflammatory (MS)
Discuss metastasis that form brain tumours
Lung metastasis form 33% of brain tumours
Breast metastasis form 20% of brain tumours
66% of skin cancers (melanomas) spread to brain
What are the most common forms of primary tumours in the brain
Gliomas - 40-50%
Meningiomas -15-20%
Pituitary tumours -10%
Discuss glioblastomas and their life expectancies
Full name- Glioblastoma Multiforme Very aggressive Low grade- stage 1- 8/10 years Stage 2- 5> years High grade- stage 3 -2/5 years Stage 4 - 3/7 months
Discuss meningiomas
Occur in brain coverings
Form 20% of primary brain tumours
Usually a good outcome
What is the status called which assessed how much a tumour effects your everyday life
Karnofsky performance status
Discuss the initial management and surgery options for brain tumours
Initial management- reduce swelling (dexamethasone)
Treat seizures (anti epileptic drugs)
Blood tests
Surgery Debulk Complete excision Image guidance Awake craniotomy
How is radiation implimented
In a processed called ‘fractioned treatment’ which means completing it over a period of time so it is more bare able for the patient
Stereotactic radio surgery- focus radiation in relevant part of brain
