Neuropathology 1 Flashcards
What are the most common tumours in the brain?
They are metastatic which most commonly metastasis from breast, malignant melanoma, lung. Others can metastasis from kidney, gut or lymphoma/leukaemia
What are the effects of brain metastasis?
- Space occupying lesion effects - fits, visual, drowsiness and behavioural changes or haemorrhage
What are the most common types of lung cancer?
Main - Small cell undifferentiated.
Others - Squamous and adeno
What are the commonest intracranial primary neoplasm?
Meningiomas and gliomas.
What are the commonest form of intracranial peripheral nerve tumour?
Acoustic schwannoma
Describe features of meningiomas
Tend to be sporadic (could be post-irradiation or part of NF2) and found at sites of arachnoid. They are grossly, well demarcated and slow growing. Non invasive but erosive and compressive which causes fits, drowsiness, personality changes and headaches. Surgical removal.
What cells give rise gliomas?
Astrocytes (astrocytomas), oligodendroglia (Oligodendrogliomas), ependyma/choroid plexus and microglial (uncommon)
Explain glioma grading
I - Localised (not completely benign),
II - Diffuse,
III - Anaplastic astrocytoma,
IV - Glioblastoma multiforme.
What are neuroectodermal tumours examples
PNET - Primitive neuroectodermal tumours,
Medulloblastoma.
Often these occur in children.
What are differences of schwannomas and neurofibroma
Shwannomas within a nerve are operable however neurofibromas are very small and difficult to operate on
What is neurofibromatosis 1?
- Autosomal dominant but 50% that arise are spontaneous.
- Presents with cafe au lait and neurofibromas
What is neurofibromatosis 2?
Multiple inherited schwannomas, meningiomas and ependymomas (MISME)
