CNS Tumours

Question 1

What is a CNS tumour?

Answer 1

• brain tumour is an abnormal growth occurring in any tissue contained within cranium, incl.:
  
  • brain
  • cranial nerves
  • meninges
  • skull
  • pituitary gland
  • pineal gland.
• Tumours may be benign or malignant
• originate from within the cranium (primary tumours) or
• originate from a metastatic tumour found elsewhere (secondary tumours)

Many variants have been identified and classified according to 2016 WHO criteria.[1][2]

Patients commonly present with signs of ICP

• (e.g., headache, altered mental status, nausea, and/or vomiting) and gait abnormality.

Question 2

Since CNS tumours cannot be classified as benign or malignant (as both cause comorbidities and possibly death), how are they classified instead?

Answer 2

High-Grade

• a tumour that grows rapidly and aggressively

Low-Grade

• tumour that grows slowly and may or may not be successfully treated

Question 3

From which organs do brain metastases commonly originate from?

Answer 3

• Lung
• Breast
• Stomach
• Prostate
• Thyroid
• Colorectal

Question 4

Name some examples of high grade CNS tumours

Answer 4

• Glioma and glioblastoma multiforme
• Primary cerebral lymphoma
• Medulloblastoma

Question 5

Name some examples of low grade CNS tuumours

Answer 5

• Meningioma
• Acoustic neuroma
• Neurofibroma
• Pituitary tumour
• Craniopharyngeoma
• Pineal tumour