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.
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
include phantom odors and tastes.
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 essential for determining
the appropriate treatment and the correct prognosis.
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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.