Central Nervous System Tumors

Question 1

Glioblastoma multiforme

Answer 1

Astrocytes
Path: malignant tumors, cross midline, anaplasia, high cellularity, nuclear atypia, vascular proliferation, necrosis
Sx: HA, Sx, focal neuro defects
Tx: surgical resection followed by radiation

Question 2

Low grade gliomas (1 and 2 astrocytomas)

Answer 2

Astrocytes, fourth decade of life
Sx: seizures
Tx: variable

Question 3

Oligodendroglioma

Answer 3

Oligodendrocytes,
Sx: seizures
Tx: resection, local radiation
Path: fried egg appearance, calcifications common

Question 4

Ependymoma

Answer 4

Ependymal lining of ventricles
Sx: increased ICP
Tx: decrease tumor burden
Path: perivascular pseudorosettes

Question 5

Meningioma

Answer 5

Meningothelial cells of dura mater
Sx: seizures and weakness
Tx: surgical removal
Path: calcification

Question 6

Medulloblastoma

Answer 6

Medullary velum of fourth ventricle, most common peds
Path: small round cells with mitotic index
Sx: infiltrates, hydrocephalus
Tx: surgery and radiation/chemo

Question 7

Schwannoma

Answer 7

Schwann cells
Sx: loss of fxn of CN 8, can involve trigeminal and facial nerves
Tx: radiosurgery
Path: uniform spindle cells with pallisades, verocay bodies
Associated with NF2

Question 8

ganglioglioma

Answer 8

Cause sz, surgically removed from cerebral hemisphere

Question 9

hemangioblastoma

Answer 9

Associated with VHL