Neuro-oncology SOLs

Question 1

What is the difference between a malignant brain tumour & a benign brain tumour?

Answer 1

Malignant tumours spread
Benign tumours don’t spread

Question 2

What is a glioma? And their general symptoms?

Answer 2

A group of tumours that arise from glial cells (the supportive cells of the NS) - malignant brain tumour

Symptoms:
Headaches (often worse in the morning or with changes in position)

Seizures

Nausea and vomiting

Vision problems

Cognitive or personality changes

Weakness or numbness in parts of the body

Difficulty speaking or understanding speech

Question 3

What is a meningioma? And their general symptoms?

Answer 3

Are tumours that arise from the meninges, the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord. These tumours are typically slow-growing and more common in adults, especially in women.

Symptoms:
Headaches (often localised or worse in the morning)

Seizures

Cognitive changes (memory problems, confusion)

Vision problems (due to pressure on the optic nerve or visual pathways)

Focal neurological deficits (such as weakness, numbness, or speech difficulties, depending on the tumour’s location)

Personality changes

Dizziness or balance issues (if the tumor is near the brainstem or cerebellum)

Question 4

Describe the most common spinal cord tumours? And their general symptoms?

Answer 4

Most common spinal cord tumours are metastatic extradural lesions secondary to identified systemic cancers

ANY cancer patient reporting new back pain… metastatic tumour should be primary Dx

Symptoms:
Severe focal pain. (but can be silent for some time – extradural tumours)

Pain will be persistent, and often worse at night

Normal mechanical evaluation may not make sense and pain will not be linked particularly to posture or activity

Progressive neurological symptoms