This page compiles our content related to brain tumors. For further information on diagnosis and treatment, follow the links below to our full BMJ Best Practice topics on the relevant conditions and symptoms.
Introduction
Relevant conditions
go to our full topic on Meningioma
Primary tumor of the cranial and spinal compartments. Estimates indicate that meningioma represent over 37.1% of primary brain tumors and 53.1% of all nonmalignant tumors.[3] They are more common in women, and are usually benign. Neurologic deficit and progressive, focal, or general headaches (in large tumors) are common. Tumors may also produce visible bony growth. Diagnosis is confirmed by the characteristic appearance on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with and without contrast enhancement. Asymptomatic lesions may be followed up with serial observation.[4] Treatment of symptomatic meningioma is usually surgical resection, although, in some cases, local radiation therapy is used as primary treatment.[5][6]
Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma)
Signs & symptoms
Investigations
Differentials
Treatment algorithm
go to our full topic on Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma)
Benign, slow-growing cerebellopontine angle tumor that grows from the superior vestibular component of the vestibulocochlear nerve. Usually presents with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, but may be found on routine hearing examinations.[7][8] Progressive dizziness and unilateral facial numbness are also common. Neurofibromatosis type 2, a rare autosomal dominant disorder, is a strong risk factor. Diagnosis is confirmed by gadolinium-enhanced MRI.[9] Observation may be appropriate management, with stereotactic radiation or radiosurgery or formal surgical resection as definitive treatment options.[10][11][12]
go to our full topic on Medulloblastoma
Malignant, invasive brain tumor arising from the cerebellar vermis. The vast majority of medulloblastomas arise sporadically in the first 2 decades of life; medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. Symptoms, as a result of a mass effect from the tumor or due to obstructive hydrocephalus, include morning headaches, nausea, vomiting, diplopia (a manifestation of sixth nerve palsy), and ataxia. Vomiting often relieves the headaches. Computed tomography and MRI are essential diagnostic and postoperative investigations. Primary treatment is surgical resection with postoperative chemotherapy and irradiation, depending on risk stratification.[13]
go to our full topic on Astrocytic brain tumors
Primary tumor of the brain arising from astrocytes, an integral component of the blood-brain barrier. Patients may present with focal neurologic deficits according to location (e.g., frontal, temporal, cerebellum, brainstem) or with signs of elevated intracranial pressure. Astrocytic brain tumor is more common in industrial countries and in white males.[14][15] Diagnosis is by cranial imaging with surgical biopsy. Treatment depends on tumor grade and may include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Prognosis can range from good for low-grade benign to poor for high-grade astrocytomas.
go to our full topic on Craniopharyngioma
Benign extra-axial nonglial epithelial tumor of the central nervous system, seen in both children and adults. Craniopharyngiomas most commonly arise within the sellar/suprasellar space. Although it may present at any age, a bimodal age distribution is reported with a peak between 5 and 14 years in children and between 50 and 70 years in adults.[16][17][18][19] Craniopharyngiomas will cause mass effect symptoms, including visual loss or symptoms of intracranial hypertension.[20] Pituitary dysfunction is common; children may present with growth failure and adults with diabetes insipidus and sexual dysfunction.[21] Diagnostic evaluation includes cranial MRI, computed tomography, and full endocrine evaluation. Primary treatment is surgical resection, with postoperative radiotherapy in select cases.[22][21]
go to our full topic on Primary CNS lymphoma
An uncommon tumor, accounting for <1% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Risk factors include immunosuppression, especially HIV infection, and Epstein-Barr virus infection.[23] Diagnosis is based on cranial computed tomography and clinical history, with lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Patients who are clinically fit should be offered chemotherapy as first-line treatment. High-dose methotrexate is the backbone chemotherapeutic agent of choice, with or without whole-brain radiation therapy. Adding cytarabine to methotrexate is a standard approach in some centers.[24]
go to our full topic on Nonfunctional pituitary adenoma
Clinically nonfunctional adenomas are associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, familial isolated pituitary adenomas, and Carney complex.[25][26][27] May present with features of hormonal insufficiency. Most symptoms are longstanding and progress slowly. Diagnosis is via endocrine evaluation and cranial imaging. Treatment strategies include observation with serial imaging, surgical resection, and radiotherapy.[28]
go to our full topic on Acromegaly
Acromegaly is due to a pituitary somatotroph adenoma in about 95% to 99% of cases. Pituitary somatotroph adenomas chronically secrete excessive growth hormone, which stimulates insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) production, leading to the majority of the clinical manifestations of the disease.[29] Diagnosis is based on biochemical confirmation of IGF-1 hypersecretion. Treatment includes surgical resection and/or somatostatin analogs.[30][31]
go to our full topic on Cushing syndrome
Cushing disease, which is hypercortisolism caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma, is the most common cause of Cushing syndrome and is responsible for the majority of cases. Diagnosis is by demonstration of unsuppressed adrenocorticotropic hormone and subsequent cranial MRI. First-line therapy is generally transsphenoidal surgical resection.[32]
go to our full topic on Prolactinoma
Benign prolactin-expressing and secreting pituitary adenoma. It is more frequent in women, mainly during the childbearing years.[33] Prolactinoma leads to hyperprolactinemia, which results in hypogonadism, sexual dysfunction, and galactorrhea. There may be symptoms of mass effect. Assessment of serum prolactin levels and cranial imaging are standard diagnostic tests.[34] Medical treatment with dopamine agonists is the primary treatment for both sexes, with surgery reserved for refractory cases.[34]
go to our full topic on Evaluation of pituitary mass
Pituitary adenomas may be divided into 2 types: functional adenoma, where there is hypersecretion of hormone, and clinically nonfunctional adenoma (nonhormone secreting). Functional adenomas are found in acromegaly, Cushing disease, and prolactinoma. Compression of adjacent structures may cause mass effect symptoms (e.g., visual disturbances, headaches).
go to our full topic on Evaluation of acute headache in adults
The majority of patients presenting with acute headache have a benign diagnosis, but a high index of suspicion should be maintained for life-threatening causes of headache.[35] Most brain tumors causing headaches can be seen on nonenhancing contrast computed tomography.
go to our full topic on Evaluation of acute headache in children
Headaches are common in children, increasing in incidence from early childhood to adolescence. They account for 0.7% to 1.3% of all pediatric ER visits.[36][37] Of children with brain tumors, 62% have headache prior to diagnosis, and 98% have at least one neurologic symptom or abnormality on examination.[38]
go to our full topic on Evaluation of ataxia
Ataxia can be hereditary or acquired. The list of acquired causes is extensive and includes toxic, vascular, infectious/postinfectious, neoplastic, and autoimmune etiologies.
go to our full topic on Evaluation of hyperprolactinemia
Hyperprolactinemia is a condition of elevated serum prolactin; it is the most common endocrine disorder of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Among women presenting with concomitant amenorrhea and galactorrhea, 70% are hyperprolactinemic.
go to our full topic on Evaluation of short stature
Defined as a height that is 2 or more standard deviations below the mean for age and sex within a population (below the 2.5th percentile). Causes of short stature include those that are due to normal variation, responsible for the majority of cases, and those due to disease pathology (e.g., endocrine causes, genetic syndromes, chronic illness).
Contributors
Authors
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Disclosures
This overview has been compiled using the information in existing sub-topics.
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