Brain Tumours (clinical) Flashcards
What are the common metestatic sites for spread to the brain?
Lung
Breast
Kidney
GI
(previous lecture also included melanoma)
How do we classify brain tumours?
Tissue of origin
ocation
Primary or secondary
Grading
What percentage of cancer patients develop brain mets?
10-15%
What are the two most likely causes of neurological death?
- Stroke
- Brain tumour
How do we grade tumours?
Microscopic appearence
Growth rate
To grade differentiation:
oGX Grade cannot be assessed (Undetermined)
oG1 Well-differentiated (Low grade)
oG2 Moderately differentiated (Intermediate grade)
oG3 Poorly differentiated (High grade)
oG4 Undifferentiated (High grade)
What are the common presentations of brain tumour?
Neurological defecit: 68%
- 45% motor weakness
- Mental status changes
HA 54%
Seizures 26%
What are the genereal signs and symptoms of brain tumours?
oCerebral edema
oIncreased intracranial pressure
oFocal neurologic deficits
oObstruction of flow of CSF
oPituitary dysfunction
oPapilledema (if swelling around optic disk)
What are the signs and symptoms of cerebral tumours?
oHeadache
oVomiting unrelated to food intake
oChanges in visual fields and acuity
oHemiparesis or hemiplegia
oHypokinesia
oDecreased tactile discrimination
oSeizures
oChanges in personality or behavior
What are the signs and symptoms for brainstem tumours?
oHearing loss (acoustic neuroma)
oFacial pain and weakness
oDysphagia, decreased gag reflex
oNystagmus
oHoarseness
oAtaxia (loss of muscle coordination) and dysarthria (speech muscle disorder) (cerebellar tumours)
What are the signs and symptoms of cerebellar tumours?
Disturbances in coordination and equilibrium
What are the signs and symptoms of pituitary tumours?
Endocrine dysfunction
Visual defecits
Headache
What are the signs and symptsoms of frontal lobe tumours?
oInappropriate behavior
oPersonality changes
oInability to concentrate
oImpaired judgment
oMemory loss
oHeadache
oExpressive aphasia
oMotor dysfunctions
What are the signs and symptoms of parietal lobe tumour?
Sensory defecits:
- Paresthesia
- Loss of 2 point discrimination
- Visual field defecits
What are the signs and symptoms for temporal lobe tumours?
oPsychomotor seizures – temporal lobe-judgment, behavior, hallucinations, visceral symptoms, no convulsions, but loss of consciousness
What are the signs and symptoms of ocipital lobe tumours?
Visual disturbances
What is the name given to grade a) 1 and 2 b) 3 c) grade 4
Gliomas?
Grade 1 and 2 glioma - astrocytoma
Grade 3 - anaplastic astrocytoma
Grade 4 - Glioblastoma multiforme (also known as a glioblastoma)
What are the intraaxial tuomurs?
•Gliomas
oAstrocytoma (Grades I & II)
oAnaplastic Astrocytoma(III)
oGlioblastoma Multiforme(IV)
- Oligodendroglioma
- Ependymomas
- Medulloblastoma
- CNS Lymphoma
What are the extraaxial tumours?
- Meningioma
- Metastatic
- Acoustic neuromas (Schwannoma)
- Pituitary adenoma
- Neurofibroma
What are the most common brain tumours?
- Gliomas
- Meningioma
What age group is most commonly affected by meningiomas?
Usually age 40 - 70
Is meningioma usually invasive or non-invasive?
Usually non - invasive
Where are meningiomas usually located?
Parasaggital region
SPhenoid wing
Parasellar region
What is the presentation of a meningioma?
Asymptomatic
Symptomatic: Focal or generalised seizure or gradually worsening neurological defecit
What are the features of meningioma on CT?
Cearly demarcated contours
Frequently have areas of calcification
Isodense or hypodense