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

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