CNS tumours Flashcards
Define CNS tumours?
Tumours of the CNS
Why can’t brain tumours be truly differentiated into benign and malignant?
Because benign tumours can still cause significant morbidity and mortality
How are brain tumours differentiated?
High-Grade
Low-Grade
What is a high-grade brain tumour?
A tumour that grows rapidly and aggressively
What is a low-grade brain tumour?
A tumour that grows slowly and may or may not be successfully treated
What are some examples of high-grade brain tumours?
Gluoma and gliobastoma multiforme
Primary cerebral lymphoma
Medulloblastoma
What are some examples of low-grade brain tumours?
Meningioma Acoustic Neuroma Neurofibroma Pituitary Tumour Craniopharyngeoma Pineal tumour
Where do brain metastases arise from?
Lung Breast Stomach Prostate Thyroid Colorectal
What can CNS tumours arise from?
Any of the cells in the CNS (e.g. glial cells, ependymal cells, oligodendrocytes)
What are the risk factors for CNS tumours?
Ionising radiation
Immunosuppression (e.g. HIV)
Inherited syndromes (e.g. neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis)
What is the epidemiology of CNS tumours?
Primary brain tumours = 2% of tumours diagnosed in the UK
AIDS patients have an increased risk of developing CNS tumours
Can develop at any age but are more common between 50-70 yrs
What are the presenting symptoms and signs of CNS tymours?
Presentation depends on size and location of the tumours
Headache (worse in the morning and when lying down)
Nausea and vomiting
Seizures
Progressive focal neurological deficits
Cognitive and behavioural symptoms
Papilloedema
What investigations would you do for CNS tumours?
Bloods - check CRP/ESR to elimanate other causes (e.g. temporal arteritis)
CT/MRI
Biopsy and tumour removal
Magnetic resonance angiography -define changing size and blood supply of the tumours
PET
