Malignancy Flashcards
how do brain tumours in children differ to adults?
How common are brain tumours in children?
- They are more often primary (unlike adults)
- And they are usually infratentorial meaning they are in the cerebellum or below
- Brain tumours are the most common solid tumour in children (+the leading cause of cancer death in children)
What are some common types of brain tumours
Astrocytoma (40%) (completely benign or highly malignant
Medullablastoma (20%)-check for spinal mets
Ependymyoma (8%)
Craniopharyngoma (remnant of Rathke’s pouch-not malignant but local invasion)
What are some symptoms of brain tumours in children? (lots)
How might children under 4 present
- Either general signs of raised ICP (headache, nausea, vomiting, walking, coordination and vision changes-papilodema)
- face changes (cranial nerves)
- Weight loss/precocious puberty/short stature
- spinal tumours-incontinence, weakness in limbs, pain
- children under 4 might have macrocephaly, lethargy and hyperrexlexia
How should brain tumours be investigated?
Brain tumours visualised on MRI scan
How should brain tumours be managed?
- Surgery if possible with the main incentive be to alleviate any hydrocephalus
- Sometimes anatomical position means excision is not safe -For this reason even tumours that are histologically benign can cause death
- Prognosis is not good (even survivors might have neuro problems)
What is a Wilm’s tumour/nephroblastoma?
- Tumour arising from the embryonic renal tissue - this means it will be present from birth but might not be found until later as children won’t develop symptoms straight away
- tumour suppressor gene on chromosome 11
- COMMONEST RENAL TUMOUR OF CHILDHOOD
What are the symptoms of Wilms tumour?
How old are children when they present?
- Most usually with large abdominal masses that are found incidentally - ASYMPTOMATIC
- Symptoms may include:
- HEAMATURIA AND HYPERTENSION
- abdominal pain
- anorexia
- anemia (bleeding)
- Most children present before 5 years
How should a Wilm’s tumour be investigated/diagnosed?
MRI, USS and CT are all useful
LOOK IN LUNG FOR METS
-Biopsy of tumour to confirm (will contain bone, muscle and cartilidge)
How are Wilm’s tumours managed?
- There is usually initial chemotherapy and then later nephrectomy (useful to stage)
- Radiotherpay is sometimes offered to patients with very advanced disease
What is the prognosis for Wilm’s tumour?
What is a syndrome associated with Wilms tumour?
- GOOD - approx 80%. 60% for mets
- WAGR syndrome associated in 10% (Wilms tumour/aniridia (black eyes with no colour) /GU problems/ retardation (mental)
What are the most common forms of malignancies in children?
What is the most common childhood cancer?
HAEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCY
Specifically LEUKAEMIA IS THE MOST COMMON CANCER IN CHILDHOOD
What is the most common form of leukaemia in kids?
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia ALL
a fairly large chunk also AMLs
What is the peak of incidence of leukaemia?
Why do symptoms occur and how quickly do they occur?
Early childhood peak onset: 2-5 years
- Symptoms occur due to disseminated disease and the infiltration of malignant cells into tissues (leukaemic blast cells)
- Usually they come on over a course of a few weeks but can be much more rapid
What are some symptoms of ALL in children? (5 categories)
GENERAL:
- Malaise
- Anorexia
BONE MARROW (x3):
- Neutropenia (infection due to rubbish neutrophils)
- Anaemia (pallor and lethargy)
- Thrombocytopenia (nose bleeds-always think ALL, bruising)
- Bone pain
RETICULO-ENDOTHELIAL:
-Hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy (can obstruct-breathing problems?)
CNS (headaches, vomiting and nerve palsies)
TESTES (testicular enlargement)
What investigations should be done for ALL?
FBC - (anaemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia)
Blood film-look for leukaemia blast cells
Us and Es
Liver function and coagulation
BONE MARROW biopsy to diagnose
CXR to look for mediastinal mass (T cell disease)