BRAIN TUMOR

Groups of Tumors
}Arising from the coverings of the
brain (meningioma)
}Arising from the cranial nerves
(acoustic neuroma/vestibular
schwannoma)
}Originating from brain tissue
(gliomas)
}Metastatic Tumors
Incidence
}Cause is Unknown
}Metastatic CA is the most
CA in the brain
}25% of people with CA
develop brain metz
Types of Tumors

● Malignant - cancerous = infiltrating

● Benign - non-infiltrating (encapsulated)
❖ Gliomas (60%)
Glioblastoma - worst, aggressive & malignant
Astrocytoma (70%)- doesn’t spread outside brain tissue
❖ Meningioma - usually benign
➢ Metastatic carcinoma (35%)
- areas: skin, lung, breast, prostate
 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
}Result from enlarging mass which compresses brain structures

}Depend on type of tumor, location, & degree of invasion

}May be localized or systemic

Increased ICP due to cerebral
edema

}Classic Signs:
}Headache – aggravated by
straining
}Vomiting – irritation of vagal
centers in medulla
}Papilledema – present in 70% of
patients
Cushing’s Triad

Physiological nervous system response to increased ICP, usually seen in

terminal stages of acute head injury (ABI) & may indicate imminent brain
herniation.

★ Hypertension
★ Bradycardia
★ Irregular respirations
Personality changes
Focal deficits in motor, sensory, & cranial nerve function
Diagnostic Tests

➔ CT scan
➔ MRI
➔ Cerebral Angiography
➔ Electroencephalogram
➔ CSF studies (cytology)
Management
1.Craniotomy – remove tumor whenever possible
2.Radiation & ChemoTx – may follow surgery; also for inaccessible &
metastatic tumors
3.Watch for wound breakdown & ICP
4.Drug Tx – hyperosmotic agents, steroids, & diuretics to manage increased
ICP
Nursing Management
}VS/NVS monitoring
}Watch for increased ICP
}Administer meds as ordered
}Supportive care for neuro deficits
}Pre – op care/ Chemo Care
}Psychological support
}Document seizure activity
}Watch for Pupillary dilatation & loss of light reflex