Lecture 7 - Brain Cancer Flashcards
What is a frequent complication of cancer/cancer treatment?
Cognitive impairment
In which three cancer patient types does cognitive impairment most commonly show up?
Primary brain tumours, secondary brain tumours and cancer outside the CNS
What are primary brain tumours?
Tumours arising from cells within the CNS
What is the most common benign (non-malignent) tumour?
Meningioma’s (which I think start in the menginus)
What is the most common malignant tumour?
Glioma’s (in the glial cells surrounding neurons)
The WHO has different classifications for brain tumours (1-4, 1 being benign), what often happens when a tumour starts out as a 2?
Lower grade malignant tumours often come back and change to a higher grade
The WHO’s classification is dependent on molecular parameters, what does the presence of mutation in IDH gene usually mean for prognosis
IDH mutant has a better prognosis than wildtype (idk wtf this means)
The WHO’s classification is dependent on molecular parameters, what does 1p/19q codelation for the prognosis?
Codelated has a better prognosis, it responds better to chemo treatment
The WHO’s classification is dependent on molecular parameters, what does MGMT promotor methylation mean for prognosis?
Better response to chemotherapy
What are the three most common locations for brain tumours?
Frontal lobe, Temporal lobe and parietal lobe
Name some common types of brain tumours?
Meningioma, Glioma, neuroma (neurons), pituitary ademona
What are 5 common/important clinical presentations of brain tumours?
Memory loss, cognitive changes, language, personality changes and visual changes
What three functions are a priority for patients and caregivers to retain?
- Brain functioning, 2. Basic physical tasks (like walking) and 3. Reducing pain
What are five causes of cognitive impairment in braim tumour patients?
Tumours, treatment, meds, distress and fatigue
Why do tumours cause cognitive impairments?
Affects healthy brain tissue, affects blood flow, edema (swelling) and possible pressure