Neurology- Adult Brain Tumors Flashcards
What are the main ADULT primary brain tumors?
Glioblastoma multforme (grade IV astrocytoma)
Meningioma
Hemangioblastoma
Schwannoma
Oligodendroglioma
Pituitary adenoma
What is the prognosis of Glioblastoma multforme (grade IV astrocytoma)?
(common) highly malignant with 1 yr median survival
Where are Glioblastoma multforme (grade IV astrocytoma) found?
cerebral hemispheres (but can cross the corpus callosum (‘butterfly glioma)
Histo of Glioblastoma multiforme
pseudopalisading pleomorphic tumor cells that border central areas of necrosis and hemorrhage
stain astrocytes for GFAP
What is the prognosis for Meningiomas?
(common) typically benign primary tumor
Where are Meningiomas commonly found?
convexities of the hemispheres (near the surfaces of the brain)
and parasagittal regions
What cells do Meningiomas arise from?
arachnoid cells
How do Meningiomas look?
extra-axial (external to the brain parenchyma) and may have a dural attachment (“tail”-below)
How do meningiomas present?
often asymptomatic, but may present with seizures of focal neurologic signs (tx with resection andor radiosurgery)
Histo of meningiomas- spindle cells concentrically arranged in a whorled pattern; psammoma bodies (laminated calcifications)
Where are hemangioblastomas common?
most often cerebellar
What are hemangioblastomas associated with?
VHL syndrome when found with retinal angiomas
What is a common symptom of hemangioblastomas?
can produce EPO leading to secondary polycythemia
Describe the histo of hemangioblastomas
closely, arranged thin-walled capillaries with minimal intervening parenchyma
Where are Schwannomas common?
classically at the cerebellopontine angle, but can be along any peripheral nerve
often localized to CN VIII (vestibular schwannoma)
Describe oligodedrogliomas
relatively rare, slow growing tumors most often found in the frontal lobes
with a “chicken-wire” capillary pattern
Histo of oligodendrogliomas
“fried-egg” cells- round nuclei with clear cytoplasm
