Brain Tumors Overview

Brain Tumors

• Occur in any part of the brain, occupying space within the skull.
• Classified by the cell or tissue of origin.
• Cerebral tumors are most common.

Types of Brain Tumors

• Benign: Do not spread (e.g., meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, acoustic neuromas).
• Malignant: Can spread and grow rapidly (e.g., gliomas).
  • Primary malignant: Originate in brain tissue, rarely spread to other parts of the body.
  • Secondary malignant: Spread from another cancer (e.g., breast, kidney, lung, skin, gastrointestinal cancers).

Tumor Locations

• Supratentorial: Above the tentorium cerebelli, often in cerebral hemispheres.
• Infratentorial: Below the tentorium cerebelli, including brainstem and cerebellum.

Effects of Brain Tumors

• Apply pressure on surrounding brain tissue.
• Reduce cerebrospinal fluid outflow.
• Increase intracranial pressure.
• Cause cerebral edema.
• Produce neurological deficits (e.g., weakness, numbness).
• Can cause endocrine dysfunction if the pituitary gland is involved.

Benign Brain Tumors

• Develop from meninges or cranial nerves.
• Do not spread.
• Have distinct borders.
• Damage due to pressure or interference with nearby nerve function.

Malignant Brain Tumors

• High mortality.
• Associated with poor prognosis.
• Primary malignant tumors seldom metastasize outside the brain.
• Secondary malignant tumors are metastases from another primary cancer (e.g., breast, lung, kidney).

Health Promotion/Disease Prevention

• No routine screening for brain tumors is available.

Risk Factors

• Unknown cause.
• Possible risk factors include:
  • Genetics
  • Environmental agents
  • Ionizing radiation exposure
  • Electromagnetic field exposure
  • Previous head injury

Assessment

• Physical Assessment Findings: Symptoms include:
  • Dysarthria (slurred speech)
  • Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
  • Positive Romberg sign (balance issues)
  • Positive Babinski sign (foot movement)
  • Vertigo (dizziness)
  • Hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body)
  • Cranial nerve dysfunction (e.g., hearing loss, loss of gag reflex, vision changes).
  • Papilledema (swelling of the optic disc)

Explore the essential information about brain tumors, including their classification, types, locations, and effects on the brain. This quiz covers benign and malignant tumors, their origins, and the implications for the nervous system. Test your understanding of these critical medical concepts.