Brain Cancer Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to brain cancer, including types of tumors, diagnostic principles, treatment protocols, and important clinical signs.

Brain Tumors

Types of neoplasms that develop in the brain, which can be benign or malignant.

Occam’s Razor

A principle stating that the simplest explanation or solution is usually the correct one.

GBM

Glioblastoma multiforme, the most common malignant brain tumor accounting for over 60% of malignant brain tumors in adults.

Symptoms of Brain Tumors

Common symptoms include headaches, vomiting, cognitive difficulties, visual loss, and seizures.

Stupp Protocol

A treatment regime for glioblastoma that combines surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with temozolomide.

Imaging Modalities

Techniques used to visualize internal structures, with MRI being the most effective for detecting brain tumors.

Red Flags

Warning signs associated with brain tumors that require immediate medical evaluation.

Survival Rates

Statistics indicating the percentage of patients likely to survive a specific period following a diagnosis of brain tumor.

Primary Brain Cancer

Cancers that originate from cells in the central nervous system, typically glial cells.

Meningiomas

A type of non-malignant brain tumor that originates from the meninges, the protective layers around the brain.

Risk Factors for Brain Tumors

While causes are largely unknown, genetic syndromes (e.g., neurofibromatosis) and high-dose radiation exposure are recognized risk factors.

Neurological Exam

A clinical assessment to evaluate brain, spinal cord, and nerve function, crucial for identifying signs of a brain tumor.

Biopsy

The surgical removal of a small tissue sample from the tumor for microscopic examination, essential for definitive diagnosis and tumor classification.

Surgical Resection

The primary treatment for many brain tumors, involving the surgical removal of as much of the tumor as safely possible.

Radiation Therapy

A treatment that uses high-energy rays to kill tumor cells or slow their growth, often used after surgery or for inoperable tumors.

Chemotherapy

The use of drugs to destroy cancer cells, which can be given orally or intravenously, often as part of a multi-modal treatment plan for brain tumors.

WHO Grading System

A system by the World Health Organization that classifies brain tumors from Grade I (least aggressive) to Grade IV (most aggressive), based on their biological behavior.

Metastatic Brain Tumors

Cancers that originate in other parts of the body (e.g., lung, breast) and spread to the brain, rather than forming in the brain initially.

Glioblastoma Characteristics

Known for its highly aggressive nature, rapid growth, and infiltrative spread into surrounding brain tissue, making complete surgical removal challenging.

Multidisciplinary Brain Tumor Treatment

An approach involving a team of specialists including neurosurgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, and neurologists to develop a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan.

Challenges in Glioblastoma Treatment

Key challenges include the tumor's infiltrative nature, its intrinsic resistance to conventional therapies, and the significant hurdle presented by the blood-brain barrier for drug delivery.