CNS tumours

Question 1

What are the types of CNS tumours?

Answer 1

Glioblastoma
Astrocytoma
Pituitary adenoma
Acoustic neuroma
Meningioma
Oligodendroglioma
Haemangioblastoma
CNS lymphoma
Craniopharyngioma
Spinal cord tumour

Question 2

What is the most common types of brain tumour?

Answer 2

1. Gliomas

2. Meningiomas

Question 3

How do you grade tumours? (WHO grading)

Answer 3

Grade 1- low proliferating, discrete, non invasive
Grade 2- moderately proliferating, partly invasive
Grade 3- Fast proliferating, invasuve
Grade 4- Rapidly proliferating, highly invasive

Question 4

What are the risk factors for braing tumours?

Answer 4

> Age
> Male
>  Exposure to solvent/ pesticide/ oil products/ rubber/ vinyl chloride
> FHx
> Infections, viruses, allergens (e.g. EBV, CMV)
> Electromagnetic fields
> Ionizing radiation
> Head injury/ seizures
> N-nitroso compounds

Question 5

What are some signs and symptoms of brain tumours?

Answer 5

> Focal deficits e.g. personality, memory changes, loss of balance, vision, speeche changes, lactation
> Headache
> Nausea and vomiting
> Fatigue
> Drowsiness
> Seizures

Question 6

What investigations might you do for a brain tumour?

Answer 6

> MRI head/ pituitary MRI (mass with oedema)
CT head
Angiogram
Spinal tap
Biopsy
Bloods- inflammation, tumour markers, hormonal imbalance