A brain tumor is any intracranial tumor created
by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, normally
either in the brain itself (neurons, glial cells
(astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells),
lymphatic tissue, blood vessels), in the cranial
nerves (myelin-producing Schwann cells), in the
brain envelopes (meninges), skull, pituitary and
pineal gland, or spread from cancers primarily located
in other organs (metastatic tumors). Primary (true)
brain tumors are commonly located in the posterior
cranial fossa in children and in the anterior two-thirds
of the cerebral hemispheres in adults, although
they can affect any part of the brain.
SYMPTOMS
Although there is no specific clinical symptom
or sign for brain tumors, slowly progressive focal
neurologic signs and signs of elevated intracranial
pressure, as well as epilepsy in a patient with a negative
history for epilepsy should raise red flags. However,
a sudden onset of symptoms, such as an epileptic seizure
in a patient with no prior history of epilepsy, sudden
intracranial hypertension (this may be due to bleeding
within the tumor, brain swelling or obstruction of
cerebrospinal fluid's passage) is also possible. Symptoms
can include phantom odors and tastes.
DIAGNOSIS
Imaging techniques (such as computed tomography
(CT) and especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
play a central role in the diagnosis of brain tumors.Electrophysiological
exams, such as electroencephalography (EEG) play a
marginal role in the diagnosis of brain tumors. The
definitive diagnosis of brain tumor can only be confirmed
by histological examination of tumor tissue samples
obtained either by means of brain biopsy or open surgery.
The histologic examination is often needed for determining
the appropriate treatment and the correct prognosis.
BRAIN TUMORS - Stereotactic Biopsy - INTERACTIVE
VIDEO
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