Tumor Review

Primary Tumors

Neuromas -80-90% of brain tumors, named for what part of nerve cell affected.

Meningiomas - outside of arachnoidal tissue, usually benign and slow growing

Glioblastoma Multiform -50% of all primary tumors, linked to specific genetic mutations

Secondary Tumors - Metastatic carcinomas

Scale –degree of anaplasia: differentiation of mature (good) vs. immature cells (bad)

Grade I: up to 25% anaplasia

Grade II: 26-50% anaplasia

Grade III: 51-75% anaplasia

Grade IV: 76-100% anaplasia

Primary Tumor Effect:

1. Headaches
2. Vomiting
3. Seizures
4. Neurological problems
5. Dementia
6. Drowsiness

Secondary Tumor Effect:

1. Direct compression/necrosis
2. Herniation of brain tissue
3. Increase ICP

Noteworthy Tumor Markers

1. AFP

2. Alkaline phosphatase

3. β-hCG

4. CA-125

5. PSA

Basal cell carcinoma: a slow-growing form of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer, and is the most common form of cancer in the United States

Chondrosarcoma: A malignant tumor that forms in cartilage cells (chondroplasts) and that produces cartilage matrix. Primary chondrosarcoma forms in bone and is found in children.

Ewing’s sarcoma: Ewing's sarcoma is a malignant (cancerous) bone tumor that affects children.

Giant cell tumor: A type of bone tumor characterized by massive destruction of bone near the end (epiphysis) of a long bone.

Melanoma: Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It involves the cells that produce the skin pigment melanin. Melanin is responsible for skin and hair color. Melanoma can also involve the colored part of the eye.

Meningioma: A common type of slow growing, usually benign brain tumor that arises from the dura, one of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. A meningioma may occur wherever there is dura but the most common sites are over the cerebral hemispheres of the brain.

Oligodendroglioma: A rare slow-growing type of brain tumor that begins in cells called oligodendrocytes, which provide support and nourishment for cells that transmit nerve impulses.

Pituitary ademona: : A benign tumor of the pituitary, the master gland that controls other glands and influences numerous body functions including growth. Although the tumor itself is not cancerous, it may affect pituitary function, and therefore may need to be removed.

Schwannoma: A tumor of the peripheral nervous system that arises in the nerve sheath (protective covering). It is almost always benign, but rare malignant schwannomas have been reported.

Squamous cell carcinoma: Squamous cell skin cancer is a type of tumor that affects the middle layer of the skin. Most skin cancers occur on skin that is regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation.