Brain tumor overview: Difference between revisions
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==Epidemiology and Demographics== | ==Epidemiology and Demographics== | ||
Epidemiological record suggests a growing share each year of infants and children in the United States affected by brain tumors. | Epidemiological record suggests a growing share each year of infants and children in the United States affected by brain tumors. | ||
==Natural History, Complications and Prognosis== | |||
Survival rates in primary brain tumors depend on the type of tumor, age, functional status of the patient, the extent of surgical tumor removal, to mention just a few factors<ref>Nicolato A, Gerosa MA, Fina P, Iuzzolino P, Giorgiutti F, Bricolo A. ''Prognostic factors in low-grade supratentorial astrocytomas: a uni-multivariate statistical analysis in 76 surgically treated adult patients.'' Surg Neurol 1995;44:208-21; discussion 221-3. PMID 8545771.</ref>. Patients with benign gliomas may survive for many years<ref>Janny P, Cure H, Mohr M, Heldt N, Kwiatkowski F, Lemaire JJ, Plagne R, Rozan R. ''Low grade supratentorial astrocytomas. Management and prognostic factors.'' Cancer 1994;73:1937-45. PMID 8137221.</ref><ref>Piepmeier J, Christopher S, Spencer D, Byrne T, Kim J, Knisel JP, Lacy J, Tsukerman L, Makuch R. ''Variations in the natural history and survival of patients with supratentorial low-grade astrocytomas.'' Neurosurgery 1996;38:872-8; discussion 878-9. PMID 8727811.</ref> | |||
while survival in most cases of [[glioblastoma multiforme]] is limited to a few months after diagnosis. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 20:58, 30 November 2012
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Brain tumor Microchapters |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
A brain tumor is any intracranial tumor created by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, normally either in the brain itself (neurons, glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells), lymphatic tissue, blood vessels), in the cranial nerves (myelin-producing Schwann cells), in the brain envelopes (meninges), skull, pituitary and pineal gland, or spread from cancers primarily located in other organs (metastatic tumors). Primary (true) brain tumors are commonly located in the posterior cranial fossa in children and in the anterior two-thirds of the cerebral hemispheres in adults, although they can affect any part of the brain. In the United States in the year 2005, it was estimated that there were 43,800 new cases of brain tumors (Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, Primary Brain Tumors in the United States, Statistical Report, 2005 - 2006) [1], which accounted for 1.4 percent of all cancers, 2.4 percent of all cancer deaths[2], and 20–25 percent of pediatric cancers[2][3]. Ultimately, it is estimated that there are 13,000 deaths/year as a result of brain tumors[1].
Historical Perspective
Brain tumors can be classified into two main categories: primary and secondary tumors. Primary tumors originate in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and ependymal cells. Secondary tumors originate in malignant cancers located primarily in other organs. As of 1993, the World Health Oreganization classifies primary brain tumors as the most common.
Classification
Brain tumors can be classified into two main categories: primary and secondary tumors. Primary tumors originate in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and ependymal cells. Secondary tumors originate in malignant cancers located primarily in other organs.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Epidemiological record suggests a growing share each year of infants and children in the United States affected by brain tumors.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Survival rates in primary brain tumors depend on the type of tumor, age, functional status of the patient, the extent of surgical tumor removal, to mention just a few factors[4]. Patients with benign gliomas may survive for many years[5][6] while survival in most cases of glioblastoma multiforme is limited to a few months after diagnosis.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Greenlee RT, Murray T, Bolden S, Wingo PA. Cancer statistics, 2000. CA Cancer J Clin 2000;50:7-33. PDF. PMID 10735013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 American Cancer Society. Accessed June 2000.
- ↑ Chamberlain MC, Kormanik PA. Practical guidelines for the treatment of malignant gliomas. West J Med 1998;168:114-120. PMID 9499745.
- ↑ Nicolato A, Gerosa MA, Fina P, Iuzzolino P, Giorgiutti F, Bricolo A. Prognostic factors in low-grade supratentorial astrocytomas: a uni-multivariate statistical analysis in 76 surgically treated adult patients. Surg Neurol 1995;44:208-21; discussion 221-3. PMID 8545771.
- ↑ Janny P, Cure H, Mohr M, Heldt N, Kwiatkowski F, Lemaire JJ, Plagne R, Rozan R. Low grade supratentorial astrocytomas. Management and prognostic factors. Cancer 1994;73:1937-45. PMID 8137221.
- ↑ Piepmeier J, Christopher S, Spencer D, Byrne T, Kim J, Knisel JP, Lacy J, Tsukerman L, Makuch R. Variations in the natural history and survival of patients with supratentorial low-grade astrocytomas. Neurosurgery 1996;38:872-8; discussion 878-9. PMID 8727811.