Neuro-oncology

Question 1

What is the most aggressive brain tumour

Answer 1

Glioblastoma

Starts in glial cells (astrocytes)

Headaches, difficulty thinking, associated with sneezed, optic deficits

Question 2

What is oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma originate from

Answer 2

Oligodendrcytes = slow growing, better prognosis, headache, sneezes, motor weakness/ spasticity

Astrocytes (slow growing) brain tumour develops from.

Question 3

What is primary CNS lymphoma

Answer 3

Originate from beta cells

Associated with immunosuppressed

Sudden high emotional, confusion, personality change, vision problem

Question 4

What is an acoustic neuroma

Answer 4

Benign Tumour that develops in vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve 8) which is responsible for hearing and balance

Slow growing
Can press on brainstem causeinh:

Hearing loss
Balance problems
Facial numbness
Headaches and nausea
Tinnitus (ringin i ear)

Question 5

What is meningiomas

Answer 5

Benign brain tumour
Affect meninges
Comes from arachnoid cells- slow growing

Question 6

What is pituitary adenocarcinoma

Answer 6

Benign brain tumour from anterior pituitary gland

Extremely rare

Question 7

Describe spoinal cord tumour

Answer 7

Metastatic extramural lesions mc
Acute focal back pain with/out radicular pain

Back pain must be diagnostically alert
Px is persistent
Worse at night
Normal mechanical evaluation wont make sense as will not be linked particularly to posture or activity

Progressive neurological symptoms

Question 8

what is brachial pleopathy

Answer 8

Damage to brachial plexus
Dermatome and myatomes

Cause: trauma, repetitive stress like TOS, inflammation, tumours

Px, weakness, numb, tingling, atrophy

Question 9

What are glial cells

Answer 9

Support the functioning of transmitting of nerve signals

Atrocities support neurons

Oligodendryctes make myelin

Schwann cells also make myelin