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Please read the DISCLAIMER it contains important information
About the brainThe average brain weighs about one and a half kilograms and is surrounded and protected by the skull. The brain controls how the body functions. The brain is largely made up of nerve cells, or neurones which communicate with each other and with other parts of the body by sending messages (or nerve impulses, which are actually very small electric currents) through a complex system of nerve pathways. The brain contains four cavities filled with fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. The fluid made in these cavities flows through narrow passages between the cavities and the surface of the brain. Occasionally a brain tumour can block this flow. The fluid dams up in the brain. As more fluid is made, the pressure rises. This is called hydrocephalus and is common in children with brain tumours.
Types of brain tumoursA brain tumour is an abnormal growth of tissue contained within the skull, and can be benign# (without cancer cells) or malignant (contains cancer cells). The brain controls vital functions such as memory and learning, the senses (hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch), and emotion. It also controls other parts of the body, including muscles, organs, and blood vessels. (#Note: The Acoustic Neuroma Association NSW will only be addressing issues relating to benign cranial tumours). Benign brain tumours are usually slow growing, have a fibrous covering (encapsulation) and can cause problems by pressing on and damaging the surrounding brain tissue. They can, however, often be successfully removed by surgery. Malignant brain tumour - some are contained inside a capsule and are easy to remove, while others have thin filaments spreading through the brain. Many malignant brain tumours are secondary cancers, which means they developed from a cancer somewhere else in the body.
Where in the Brain do tumours arise?The brain tumours can arise inside the nervous tissue of the brain ("intra-axial"
see below) or within the covering of the brain (dura mater or meninges) ("extra-axial
but intra-dural"). One implication for this classification is that
surgery for intra-axial brain tumours may involve entering and traversing normal
brain to reach the brain tumour. For the extra-axial tumours, entry into the
brain may not be required to remove the brain tumour. Rather, the brain may be
retracted to expose the extra-axial tumour for removal. Intra-axialThe intra-axial brain tumours are tumours that grow within the brain tissue itself. These brain tumours usually arise from the astrocytes, neurons or glia (most often the glia). These brain tumours include the glioblastoma multiforme, anaplastic astrocytoma, fibrillary astrocytoma and pilocytic astrocytoma. Other intrinsic brain tumours include the hemangioblastoma, choroid plexus adenoma, pineal region tumours and others. Extra-axialThe extra-axial tumours include the tumours of the covering of the brain and include the acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, atypical meningiomas, malignant meningiomas, pituitary tumours (non-secreting, Cushing's disease, growth hormone-secreting, prolactin-secreting) chordomas, chondrosarcomas, and others.
What Causes A Brain Tumour?SourceBenign brain tumours can arise from the uncontrolled division of cells that normally occupy the brain ("intrinsic" or "primary" brain tumours such as the gliomas, for example, that arise from the normal "glial" cells that are present in the brain). Family HistoryRare brain tumours can run in families. Neurofibromatosis type 2 is an inherited condition associated with schwannomas of both acoustic (hearing) nerves and in some patients, multiple meningiomas, or spinal cord ependymomas. Patients with tuberous sclerosis may have non-infiltrating subependymal giant cell astrocytomas in addition to benign tumours of the skin, heart, or kidneys. SymptomsBrain tumours cause "symptoms" by pressing on, or invading normal brain. These symptoms can result from increased pressure on the brain or destruction of normal nervous tissue. Symptoms can include headache (usually worse in the morning), nausea, vomiting, seizure, and weakness or numbness in the arms and/or legs. Headache is a common symptom of brain tumour, occurring in about 50% of patients. None of these symptoms are specific for brain tumours and they all can be caused by other medical problems. Less than 1% of headaches are caused by brain tumours. Brain tumours cause approximately 10% of new seizures in adults. Types of Benign Cranial TumoursAstrocytoma CerebellarWhat is childhood cerebellar astrocytoma?Astrocytomas are tumours that develop from brain cells called astrocytes. Childhood cerebellar astrocytoma occur in the area of the brain called the cerebellum, which is located at the back of the brain and controls balance and complex motor activities, including walking and talking. Cerebellar astrocytomas usually grow slowly and do not usually spread from the site in which they originated to other parts of the brain or body, although they can invade large areas. More than 80% of cerebellar astrocytomas are grade 1, localised tumours, cystic tumours, although higher grades of tumour can also occur. It is rare, however, to find malignant forms of these tumours. TreatmentThe type of treatment given depends on the location and grade of the tumour and the patient's previous treatment. Three kinds of treatment are used:
More than one method of treatment may be used, depending on the needs of the patient. Internet links: [top of page]Chondroma – (more information is being sought) This rare, benign tumour tends to arise at the base of the skull, especially in the area of the pituitary gland. The malignant form of this tumour is the chondrosarcoma. Symptoms: Headache; Diplopia (sixth nerve); Facial numbness Internet links: Chordoma The chordoma occurs at the base of the skull in about 1 in 3 cases, or at the end of the spine. It is more common in people in their 20s and 30s. It is a benign, slow growing, extradural tumour. This uncommon tumour represents only 0.2% of primary central nervous system tumours. They are usually treated with a combination of surgery and radiation.
Choroid Plexus Papilloma This is a rare, benign tumour most common in children under the age of 12. About 4% of primary brain tumours in that age group are choroid plexus papillomas. It represents less than 1% of all primary brain tumours. Choroid plexus papillomas grow slowly and eventually block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This causes hydrocephalus and increased intracranial pressure. The treatment of choice is surgery. Tumour removal resolves the hydrocephalus in half of the patients. The remaining patients require a shunt in addition to resection. Internet links: Craniopharyngioma – [more information is being sought]Craniopharyngiomas are brain tumours that usually affect infants and children. Like chordomas, they develop from cells left over from early fetal development. Cranipharyngiomas are often located near the brain's pituitary gland, a gland that releases chemicals important for the body's growth and metabolism. This secretion of active hormones may cause pituitary gigantism (an excessive secretion of the growth hormone that occurs in childhood before the closure of the bone growth plates, resulting in the overgrowth of the long bones) or acromegaly (a chronic metabolic disorder that results in gradual enlargement of tissues including the bones of the face, jaw, hands, feet, and skull) before they are detected. Individuals with craniopharyngiomas may also suffer from headaches and visual changes. Treatment for these tumours usually includes surgery and, in some patients, radiation therapy. Internet links: GangliocytomaThese rare, benign tumours arise from the ganglia-type cells, which are groups of nerve cells. Gangliocytomas (sometimes called ganglioneuromas) are tumours of mature ganglion cells. The other type, gangliogllioma is a tumour of both mature nerve and supportive cells. Tumours of this type occur most frequently in younger people. They represent 0.4% of all primary brain tumours, and about 4% of all paediatric brain tumours. The most common sites are the temporal lobe and the 3rd ventricle, although they can occur in the spine. Cysts may form as a consequence, and seisures are the most common symptom. These tumours are small, slow growing, and have very distinct margins. It is rare for ganglicytomas to metastasise (spread). Internet links: Glomus Jugulare [more information is being sought]These tumours are very rare, slow growing and benign. They invade the temporal bone. It is the most common tumour of the middle ear. The location of the tumour is in the jugulare foramen at the base of the skull. [graphic will come later!!] This gives rise to symptoms that include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, pulsatile tinnitus; conductive hearing loss; lower cranial nerve palsies; sensori-neural hearing loss and vertigo (late); headache (raised intracranial pressure). Internet links: HemangioblastomaThis benign, tumour like mass arises from blood vessels and is often cystic. Single or multiple tumours may be present. Hemangioblastomas represent about 2% of all primary brain tumours. Linau disease or Hippel-Lindau disease is an inherited condition which predisposes to this tumour and kidney cancer. The most common site is the cerebellum. It is slow growing and does not spread. Symptoms include headache, nausea and vomiting, all attributed to an increase in intracranial pressure. Internet links: LipomaLipomas are rare, benign tumours composed of fat tissue. The most common location is in the corpus callosum but they also occur elsewhere. The most common symptom is seizures. Internet links: MeningiomaWhat is a Meningioma?The meningiomas arise from the "leptomeninges" (lining cells on the outer surface of the brain) or from the "dura mater" (fibrous covering of the brain). The dura is composed of two layers, an outer periosteal (next to bone) layer and an inner layer of dural "border cells." It is widely accepted that the meningiomas arise from the arachnoid "cap cells" and may therefore arise anywhere these cells are located, particularly near the "arachnoid villi" (cells near superior sagittal sinus (large vein at top of brain)). HistologyThe meningiomas may be benign or malignant, or in between (atypical). The majority of meningiomas are benign. The benign meningiomas have many histologic subtypes. These include fibrous, transitional, angiomatous and syncytial meningiomas; many other subtypes of meningioma have been described as well. For these subtypes of the benign meningiomas there is no difference in recurrence rates or success of treatments for surgery or radiotherapy. DiagnosisThe diagnosis of meningioma is made by both the neurological examination and the MRI. The meningiomas brightly enhance (take up gadolinium) and are easily discerned on the MRI. Locations:
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