radiotherapy for intracranial tumours Flashcards
what is a risk factor for CNS tumours
radiation
what are the 2 types of gliomas present
low grade glioma
high grade glioma
what are the main benign CNS tumours
meningioma, pituitary adenoma, schwannomas
what are the main paediatric tumours
medullablastoma, germ cell and ependymoma.
what are the pressure symptoms of CNS tumours
headache, nausea and vomitting, confusion and conscious level
are brain tumours similar in adults and children
much larger in children
what is the clinical presentation of someone with a CNS tumour
pressure symptoms
seizures
focal symptoms (weakness and dysphasia)
what cerebrovascular accident can CNS tumours mimic
stroke
what investigation must be done is a patient had a headache and a neuro sign
scan
what are the treatments of CNS tumours
steroids- reduce selling Anti- epileptics- prevent seizures Surgery Radiotherapy Chemotherapy
side effects of steroids
weight gain, acne, increased BP, diabetes and decreased muscle strength.
are tumours fast or gradual onset
gradual onset.
what is the function of the frontal lobe
emotions
are broca’s and wernicke’s found in the in the left or right hemisphere
left
define radiotherapy
use of X-rays to treat tumours
what is the benefit of protons in X-rays
low dose doesn’t go everywhere; cure rat in normal
what is the negative of photons in X-rays
lower dose radiation goes to the rest of the brain
what are the acute side effects of radiotherapy
Cerebral oedema causing raised ICP & exacerbation of pre-RT neurological symptoms
hair loss
scalp or ear erythema
what are the intermediate side effects of radio therapy
somnolence syndrome (severe tiredness and exacerbation of existing neurological symptoms
what are the latter side effects of radio therapy
Damage to sensitive structures (shield these from the radiation as much as possible) eg; lens (cataracts), pituitary (hypopituitarism, cerebral hemisphere (memory loss)
which group is RT not recommended in
elderly
treatment for out come for gliomas
grade 1- many years
grade 2- 5-12 years
grade 3-2-4 years
grade 4- 6-18 months
which CNS tumours can be cured by radio/chemotherapy
germ cell tumours
medulloblastomas
