222 Brain Tumors Overview

Study Notes

Primary tumors originate in the central nervous system (CNS) and rarely metastasize.
Secondary tumors are from metastasis from other parts of the body (e.g., lung, breast, kidney).
Complications include brain tissue inflammation, increased intracranial pressure (ICP), neurological deficits, pituitary dysfunction, and cerebral edema.
Classification includes benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumors.
Supratentorial tumors are located above the tentorium cerebelli, potentially causing paralysis, seizures, memory loss, cognitive and language impairments, and visual problems.
Infratentorial tumors are located below the tentorium, potentially causing ataxia, autonomic nervous system dysfunction (ANS), vomiting, drooling, hearing loss and vision impairment.

Common symptoms include headaches, nausea and vomiting (N&V), seizures, altered sensory perception (numbness or tingling), balance problems, weakness or paralysis, difficulties with thinking, speaking, and changes in cognition or personality.

Nonsurgical interventions include chemotherapy (e.g., lomustine, temozolomide, procarbazine, methotrexate) and radiation therapy (stereotactic radiosurgery).
Tumor Treating Fields (TTFs) use electric fields to target the tumor.
Surgical interventions include craniotomy.

After a craniotomy near the pituitary gland, the nurse should carefully monitor for hyponatremia (low sodium levels).

A decline in the level of consciousness is a critical finding requiring immediate reporting to the surgeon or rapid response team.
Other findings like headaches, drainage of 25 mL in 8 hours, or periorbital edema are not immediate priorities compared to a change in level of consciousness.