Tumors of the Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

In general, most primary brain tumors are ___ in children and ___ in adults.

A

Infratentorial (eg, cerebellar medulloblastoma, astrocytoma); supratentorial

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2
Q

True or false - spread of primary brain tumors to other body organs virtually never occurs.

A

True

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3
Q

Presentation of brain tumors?

A

Slow onset (unless hemorrhage within tumor -> acute)

Focal neurological deficit if involving motor or sensory cortex

Seizures

ICP -> headache, N/V, somonlence, obtundation

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4
Q

Most common type of primary brain tumor?

A

Gliomas

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5
Q

4 major types of gliomas?

A
  1. Astrocytomas
  2. Ependymomas
  3. Medullbolastomas
  4. Oligodendrogliomas
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6
Q

Cell of origin and prognosis of astrocytomas?

A

Arise from astrocytes

Differing microscopic degrees of malignancy, most malignant is glioblastoma multiforme

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7
Q

Cell of origin, common location and population of ependymomas?

A

Arise from ependymal cells lining the ventricles
Children: posterior fossa, obstruct 4th ventricle
Adults: filum terminale of spinal cord

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8
Q

Cell of origin, location, population of medulloblastomas?

A

Arise from neuroepithelial roof of the 4th ventricle, children

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9
Q

Cell of origin, location, population of oligodendrogliomas?

A

Arise from oligodendrocytes, frontal lobes in adults

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10
Q

Imaging features of malignant primary brain tumors?

A

Irregular, non-homogenous, solitary mass with variable enhancement

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11
Q

Imaging features of benign primary brain tumors?

A

Spherical, homogenous, uniform enhancement

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12
Q

Management of primary brain tumors?

A

Rx depends on the type, location, extent
Need a biopsy (surgical procedure or CT-guided approach)
Excision if possible, combined radiation and chemo

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13
Q

Typical imaging appearance of metastatic brain tumors?

A

Multiple, spherical tumors at the gray-white junction of the cerebral cortex, often with surrounding edema

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14
Q

Mets are common in what 5 cancers?

A
Lung
Breast
Colon
Kidney
Melanoma

Also systemic lymphoma can spread to the brain and primary lymphoma can originate in the brain if immunocompromised

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15
Q

What is meningeal carcinomatosis?

A

Syndrome where cancer cells spread throughout the CSF and deposit over different areas of the cerebral cortex, CN or spinal nerve rots

Symptoms include mental status changes, headache, CN palsies, radiculopathies

CSF analysis - confirm dx

Inrathecal chemo may offer benefit

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16
Q

Most common benign brain tumor?

A

Meningioma

17
Q

2 types of CNS tumors commonly affecting the spinal cord?

A

Meningiomas or ependymomas