CNS Neoplasms Flashcards
Classification of CNS neoplasms Grades I-IV
Grade I: benign
Grade II: malignant
Grade III: malignant tissue that has cells that are actively growing
Grade IV: malignant tissue has cells that look most abnormal and tend to grow quickly
Grade IV astrocytoma AKA Glioblastoma
Generally located within the cerebral hemispheres of the brain Usually highly malignant Most common malignant brain tumor 60-75% of all astrocytomas Survival average is about 2 years
Ependymoma
Ependymal cells line the ventricles of the brain and the center of the spinal cord
Relatively rare in adults (2-3% of brain tumors)
More common in children
Meningioma
More common in women
Often benign
Usually grow inward putting pressure on the brain and spinal cord
Can grow outward and cause thickening of the skull
Best Prognosis
Meningioma symptoms
Irritation: seizures
Compression: HA; focal weakness; dysphagia; apathy; somnolence
Stereotypic: CN deficits; change in mentation; visual changes; anosmia, exopthalmos; tongue atrophy
Vascular: compression of cerebral arteries
Misc: hydrocephalus; panhypopituitarism
Acoustic neuroma
Arises from the eighth cranial nerve Benign Usually slow growing Sx: Unilateral hearing loss Tinnitus Occasional dizziness Difficulty swallowing Impaired eye movement Taste disturbance Unsteadiness
Treatment of CNS lymphoma
Steroids to decrease brain edema
May cause tumor regression
Chemotherapy and/or radiation
Usually inoperable due to location deep in the brain
Most common brain tumor
Metastatic tumors Most common cancers to metastasize to the brain are: Lung 16-20% Renal cell cancer 7-10% Malignant melanoma 7% Breast 5% Colon 1-2%
Tumor headaches
Dull, constant
Usually bilateral and not throbbing
Occipital or frontal lobes
Increased with coughing or straining
Worse with change in body position or after lying down to rest
Tend to be worse at night and may awaken the patient from sleep**
Most common symptoms of gliomas and cerebral metastases
Seizures
