Brain tumor

A brain tumor is any intracranial mass created by an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells either normally found in the brain itself: neurons, glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells), lymphatic tissue, blood vessels), in the cranial nerves (myelin producing cells Schwann cells), in the brain envelopes (meninges), skull, pituitary and pineal gland, or spread from cancers primarily located in other organs (metastatic tumors).

Treatment and Prognosis

Meningiomas, with the exception of some tumors located at the skull base, can be successfully removed surgically. In more difficult cases, stereotactic radiotherapy remains a viable option.

Related Topics:
Meningiomas - Skull base - Stereotactic - Radiotherapy

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Most pituitary adenomas can be removed surgically, often using a minimally invasive approach through the nasal cavity and skull base (trans-nasal, trans-sphenoidal approach). Large pituitary adenomas require a craniotomy (opening of the skull) for their removal. Radiotherapy, including stereotactic approaches, is reserved for the inoperable cases.

Related Topics:
Pituitary adenoma - Nasal cavity - Skull base - Trans-nasal, trans-sphenoidal approach - Craniotomy - Stereotactic

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Although there is no generally accepted therapeutic management for primary brain tumors, a surgical attempt at tumor removal or at least cytoreduction (i.e., removal of as much tumor as possible, in order to reduce the number of tumor cells available for proliferation) is considered in most cases{{fn|5}}. However, due to the infiltrative nature of these lesions, tumor recurrence, even following an apparently complete surgical removal, is not uncommon. Postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy are integral parts of the therapeutic standard for malignant tumors. Radiotherapy may also be administered in cases of "low-grade" gliomas, when a significant tumor burden reduction could not be achieved surgically.

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Survival rates in primary brain tumors depend on the type of tumor, age, functional status of the patient, the extent of surgical tumor removal, to mention just a few factors{{fn|6}}.

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Patients with benign gliomas may survive for many years{{fn|7}},{{fn|8}} while survival in most cases of glioblastoma multiforme is limited to a few months after diagnosis.

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The main treatment option for single metastatic tumors is surgical removal, followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Multiple metastatic tumors are generally treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the prognosis in such cases is determined by the primary tumor, and it is generally poor.

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