Nervous System Tumors

Question 1

the suffix “-oma” when used with neoplasms means what?

Answer 1

“benign”

*in the nervous system, this rule does not hold true; refers to both malignant and benign

Question 2

the suffix “-blast” when used with neoplasms means what?

Answer 2

Embryonic/Undifferentiated cells

Question 3

Adult brain neoplasms often arise in the (supra/infra)tentorium

Answer 3

Supratentorium

Question 4

Childhood brain neoplasms often arise in the (supra/infra)tentorium

Answer 4

Infratentorium (below the tentorium) (usually involve the Cerebellum)

Question 5

Best Diagnostic imaging modality for Brain Neoplasms is…

Answer 5

MRI

Question 6

Pediatric brain neoplasm; located in the CEREBELLUM; AGGRESSIVE solid mass that enhances with contrast; well circumscribed (NOT DIFFUSE); primitive, embryonal, small round blue cells; can see “Homer-Wright” rosettes

Answer 6

Medulloblastoma

Question 7

Which brain neoplasm presents with “Homer-Wright” rosettes on histology?

Answer 7

Medulloblastoma (pediatric tumor)

Question 8

Pediatric brain neoplasm; located in either Cerebellum, Hypothalamus or Optic nerve; BENIGN, CYSTIC, solid mass that enhances with contrast; well circumscribed (NOT DIFFUSE); shows astrocytic differentiation, Rosenthal fibers and Eosinophilic Granular Bodies on histology

Answer 8

Pilocytic Astrocytoma

*blue is astrocytes, yellow Rosenthal and green is Granular bodies

Question 9

Which brain neoplasm presents with “Rosenthal” fibers and Eosinophilic Granular Bodies on histology

Answer 9

Pilocytic Astrocytoma

Question 10

Pediatric brain neoplasm; located in either Cerebellum or Spinal Cord; SOLID, well circumscribed (NOT diffuse); shows Perivascular and Ependymal Rosettes on histology

Answer 10

Ependymomas

Question 11

Pediatric brain neoplasm; mimics an adult brain cancer, but genetically distinct; usually in Pons; generally HIGH grade (Who grade III-IV)

Answer 11

Diffuse Gliomas

Question 12

Adult brain neoplasm; WHO grade II Astrocytoma; IDH 1/2 mutations but NO 1p/19q codeletions

Answer 12

Diffuse Astrocytoma

Question 13

Adult brain neoplasm; AGGRESSIVE WHO grade III astrocytoma; increased mitotic activity than WHO grade II; IDH 1/2 mutations but NO 1p/19q codeletions

Answer 13

Anaplastic Astrocytoma

Question 14

Adult brain neoplasm; AGGRESSIVE WHO grade IV astrocytoma; infiltrative mass with enhancing ring; MICROVASCULAR proliferation; mutations in EGFR, PTEN or NF1

Answer 14

Glioblastoma

Question 15

Adult brain neoplasm; WHO grace II or III oligodendrocytes glioma; IDH 1/2 mutations with 1p/19q codeletions

Answer 15

Oligodendrogliomas

Question 16

BENIGN adult brain neoplasm; T1 HYPOINTENSE; histology shows cellular WHORLS and Psammoma bodies (calcifications)

Answer 16

Meningioma

Question 17

MOST common BRAIN tumor; usually multiple than single; tumors of lungs, breast, kidney, and skin are commonly metastasized to the brain

Answer 17

Metastases

Question 18

PNS neoplasm; signs can be Cafe-au-lait spots, dermal neurofibromas and Iris hamartomas (Lisch nodules)

Answer 18

Neurofibroma in NF1 (WHO grade I)

Question 19

PNS neoplasm; composed of Schwann cells; verocay bodies on histology

Answer 19

Schwannoma

Question 20

Which tumor metastasizes to the brain MOST often: Lung, Breast, Kidney or Melanoma

Answer 20

Melanoma

Question 21

What is the most common destination of brain metastases: Lung, Breast, Kidney or Skin

Answer 21

Lung