MALIGNANT . BRAIN TUMORS
Description
are space occupying lesions within the cranial cavity
taking up space that should be occupied by the normal cranial contents
and thus raise the intracranial pressure
Pathophysiology
tumors of the brain procedure neurologic manifestations through a number of mechanisms
critically located tumors may damage specific neural pathways
and traversing the brain
tumors of the can invade, infiltrate
because the brain dwells in the limited volume of the cranial vault
growth of intracranial tumors with accompanying oedema may cause increased intracranial pressure
tumors adjacent to the third and forth ventricle
may impede the flow of cerebrospinal fluid
leading to obstructive hydocephalus
tumors generate new blood vessels
disrupting the normal blood-brain barrier
and promoting oedema
Risk factors
age, common in children and older adults
gender, men are most likely to develop brain tumor
home and work exposures
family history
exposure to infections, viruses and allergens
ionizing radiation
head injury and seizures
Signs and symptoms
frontal lobes
sudden rages, memory loss, haedache, seizures, asphasia
temporal lobes
focal seizures, dysphasia , headache and behaviour changes
parietal lobe
motor disturbances , sensory loss , visual impairments, jacksonian convulsions
occipital lobe
visual impairment , homonymous , hemianopia , focal seizures
cerebellum
loss of balance and coordination , raised intracranial pressure, papilloedema
third ventricle
raised intracranial pressure
brain stem
cranial nerve dyfunction
Diagnostic studies
CAT scanning
stereotactic biopsy
cerebral angiography
MRI scanning
complete blood cells count
coagulation studies
electrolyte levels
comprehensive metabolic panel
Surgical management
surgical removal (craniotomy)
radiation therapy
chemotherapy
Nursing management
close monitoring of neurological status for any sudden increase in intracranial pressure
appropriate supportive care
prevention of the complecations of immobility
appropriate care with regard to surgery , radiation therapy and chemotherapy
appropriate support for both patient and family
click to edit