CNS Neoplasms

Question 1

Most common complaints of patient’s with brain tumors

Answer 1

• progressing focal neuro deficit
• seizures
• Non focal neuro disorders (HA, personality change, gait disturbances, other increased ICP sx’s)

Question 2

Brain tumor treatment

Answer 2

SYMPTOMATIC; most cannot be excised

glucocorticoids, anti-seizure meds, radiation/chemo

Question 3

Most common primary intracranial neoplasm

Answer 3

Astrocytomas

Question 4

Low vs high grade astrocytomas

Answer 4

Low = children, cerebellum (Grade I excellent prognosis, but Grade II 5-6 yrs)

High = adults; supratentorial location; life expectancy < 1 yr

Question 5

Generally have more benign course with longer life expectancy than astrocytomas. Some may be totally excised (cured)

Answer 5

Oligodendroglioma

Question 6

Most frequent brain tumor in children; HIGHLY MALIGNANT

Answer 6

medullablastomas and PNET

Question 7

Glioma that occurs in spinal cord as well as brain

Answer 7

ependymoma

Question 8

Primary CNS lymphomas occur mostly in what patients?

Answer 8

immunocompromised

Question 9

Severity of meningioma

Answer 9

benign; resection curative

Question 10

acoustic neuroma presentation

Answer 10

8th cranial nerve
progressive unilateral hearing loss
may also compress CN VII
Surgical excision curative

Question 11

Effects of pituitary tumors

Answer 11

HA, visual field defects, variable hypopituitarism

Question 12

Main example of Schwannoma (or neuroma)

Answer 12

vestibular Schwannoma; aka acoustic neuroma

Question 13

Common brain metastatic diseases

Answer 13

Lung (most common), breast, melanoma, renal, colon

Question 14

Neurofibromas

Answer 14

benign peripheral nerve tumors composed of Schwann cells and fibroblasts

sx: cafe au last spots, rubbery cutaneous tumors

Question 15

Morton’s neuroma

Answer 15

neuroma of plantar nerve at metatarsal head

c/o “pebble in shoe”