Brain Tumors Neurons or Glial cells?

Neurons Rarely, if ever responsible for tumors –Don’t reproduce

Gliomas arise from glial cells Different types of gliomas: –Astrocytic tumors include astrocytomas (less malignant), anaplastic astrocytomas, and glioblastomas (most malignant) –Oligodendroglial tumors vary in malignancy –Glioblastomas are the most aggressive type of primary brain tumor

Meningiomas Arise from arachnoidal cells –One of three meniges that compose membrane that covers brain and spinal cord. However, these tumors are mostly (90%) benign

Level of severity Tumors are graded on multiple factors: –Growth rate –Blood supply –Malignancy –Border distinctness *The ultimate determining factor in classifying tumors is the cell of highest malignancy, even if the overall composition of the tumor is of lesser malignancy.

Diagnosis Balance, vision, hearing, and reflex tests are conducted to help diagnose brain tumors MRI’s used with contrast dye are subsequently performed to find tumors and detect their locations.

Treatment Open cranial surgery Radiosurgery –Many beams of targeted radiation focus on the tumor from all different directions (one session limit). Radiotherapy (multi-session) Chemotherapy

What causes a tumor? We don’t know yet… But: –5% arise from genetic inheritance (usually extra copies chromosome 7) –Environment also plays a role

Bibliography