Brain

Tumor

Brain tumor

Outlines

Introduction
Definition
Classification of brain tumors
Risk factors for brain tumors
Signs and symptoms of brain tumor
Diagnosis of brain tumor
Treatment of brain tumor
Nursing management

Brain tumor
Introduction

Definition of brain tumor

A brain tumor is a
localized intracranial
lesion which occupies
space with the skull
and tends to cause a
rise in intracranial
pressure.

Classification of brain
tumors
Brain tumors can be benign or malignant

Benign brain tumors:

Benign brain tumors do not contain

cancer cells: usually, benign tumors
can be removed, and they seldom
grow back.

The border or edge of a benign

brain tumor can be clearly seen.
Cells from benign tumors do not
invade tissues around them or
spread to other parts of the body.

Classification of brain
tumors
(cont)

However, benign tumors can press on

sensitive areas of the brain and
cause serious health problems.

Unlike benign tumors in most other

parts of the body, benign brain
tumors
are
sometimes
life
threatening.

Very rarely, a benign brain tumor

may become malignant.

Classification of brain
tumors
(cont)

Very rarely, cancer cells may

break away from a malignant
brain tumor and spread to other
parts of the brain, to the spinal
cord, or even to other parts of
the body.

Classification of brain
tumors
(cont

)
Malignant brain tumors:

Malignant
brain
tumors
are
generally more serious and often is
life threatening. It may be primary
(the tumor originate from the brain
tissue) or secondary (metastasis
from others tumor elsewhere in the
body).

They are likely to grow rapidly and

invade the surrounding healthy
brain tissue.

Usually benign
Slow growing
Well circumscribed
Easily excisable

Although reffered as brain tumors, they dont grow

from brain tissue, they arise from meninges

Meningomas usually grow inward causeing

pressure on the brain

Its usually grow slowly and reach large size before

interfering with the function of brain

Pilocytic Astrocytoma
The most benign out of
all astrocytomas
They do not spread
Grade I
Non-infiltrating

Grade II
Infiltrating
Slow growing

Astrocytoma

Anaplastic Astrocytoma
Grade III
Infiltrating
Aggressive

Astrocytoma Grade IV

Grade IV
Highly infiltrative
Rapidly growing
Areas of necrosis

Accoustic Neuroma
Benign
Schwannoma cells
CN VIII

Schwanomma is a benign tumor of the

nerve vestibulocochlear

Usually located between cerebelum and

pons, in the back of the skull pf

It is slow growing and symptoms inculed one

sided hearing loss and ringing in the ears

Medullablastoma
Small cell embryonal
neoplasms
Malignant
HCP/ICP

Medulloblastoma is fast growinh and high

.grade tumor

Symptoms include behavioral change.

Changes in appetite, headache and vomit

It occurs less than 2% of all primary brain

tumor and less common in adult

CNS Lymphoma

Primary CNS lymphoma

B lymphocytes
Increased ICP
Brain destruction

Lymphoma is a cancer that arises from the cells of

lymphatic system. In the brain it is called PCNSL

The most common symptoms include personality

and behavioral changes, confusion, headache and
vomit

Chemotherapy and radiation is the primary

treatment. Surgery is not an option because
lymphomas tend to occur deep within the brain

Risk factors of the brain

tumor

Being male
Race
Age
Family history
Being
exposed
to
radiation
or
certain
chemicals at work

Signs and symptoms of brain

tumor

Symptoms related to increased intracranial

pressure such as:

Decrease

in
level
consciousness
such
confusion and lethargy.

Headache

of
as

most common in the

early morning and made worse
by coughing or straining

Signs and symptoms of brain

tumor (cont)
Vomiting

Papilledema

optic nerve)
disturbance
Alteration

edema of
and visual

in mental status.

Signs and symptoms of brain

tumor (cont)

Localized symptoms such as:

Aphasia
Personality changes as in
case of frontal lobe tumor
Sensory
defects ( smell,
hearing).
Seizures.
Motor abnormalities

Diagnosis of brain tumor

Physical exam
Neurological examination
Brain CT scan
MRI on brain
Angiogram
Spinal tap
Biopsy

Radiological Imaging
Computed Tomography scan (CT scan) with/withoutcontrast
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with/withoutcontrast
Plain filmsMyelographyPositron Emission Tomography scan (PET scan)-

LP/CSF analysisPathology-

Resection
Craniotomy
Stereotaxis Surgery
Biopsy
Transsphenoidal

Drug therapy Palliative

Done for symptom treatment and to prevent o
complications
NSAIDs
Analgesics Vicodin, Lortab, MS Contin
Steroids (Decadron, medrols, prednisone)
Anti-seizure medications (phenytoin) Dilantin &
Cerebyx
Histamine blockers
Anti-emetics
Muscle relaxers (for spasms)
Mannitol for ICP New Hypertonic saline

Increased ICP
Hematoma
Hypovolemic shock
Hydrocephalus
Atelectasis
Pulmonary edema
Meningitis
Fluid and electrolyte
imbalances (ADH)

Wound infection
Seizures
CSF leak
Edema