Tumors of the central nervous system are cancers that attack the brain and spinal cord, making it a vital part of the nervous system. In Poland, approximately 2,700 primary CNS neoplasms are diagnosed every year, of which approximately 2,300 patients die. Thus, they are in the top ten of the most common fatal cancers. Check what are the types and symptoms of cancers of the central nervous system?

Tumors of the central nervous systemare cancers that attack the essential part of the nervous system - the brain and spinal cord. According to the National Cancer Registry of the Oncology Center - Institute in Warsaw, brain tumors account for 2 percent. cases of malignant neoplasms in Poland. They are one of the most common childhood cancers - they account for over 15 percent. illnesses in people under 19 years of age. However, the most cases are between the ages of 50 and 64.

The most common neoplasms of the central nervous system are gliomas - they constitute 40-67 percent. primary CNS tumors.

Symptoms of neoplasms of the central nervous system result from the tumor pressing on the brain and / or spinal cord. In the first case, they lead to increased intracranial pressure, which causes:

  • headaches without nausea, described as throbbing or excruciating and worsening under the influence of factors provoking a temporary increase in intracranial pressure, such as coughing and movement. Headaches tend to be more severe in the morning
  • visual disturbance
  • vomiting without nausea
  • disturbance of consciousness

Additional symptoms depend on the location of the tumor in the brain and the pressure it exerts on the surrounding tissues.

In turn, tumors pressing on the spinal cord usually lead to paresthesia, sensory disturbances, etc.

Tumors of the central nervous system - WHO classification from 2007

I. Tumors originating from neuromuscular tissue (neuroepithelial neoplasms)

  • neoplasms of the astrocytic series (astrocytic gliomas, astrocytomas) - e.g. anaplastic astrocytoma, fibrocystic astrocytoma, glioblastoma multiforme
  • astrocytomas with limited growth - e.g. pilothoracic astrocytoma, pleomorphic hepatocellular carcinoma, sub-epileptic astrocytomagiant cell
  • malignant glial tumors - e.g. oligodendroglioma
  • mixed gliomas - e.g. oligodendroglioma
  • ependymoma tumors - e.g. ependymoma, myxomatous ependymoma, sub-ependymoma

CNS neoplasms can also be metastatic tumors from other parts of the body (e.g. lung cancer, breast cancer).

  • tumors of embryonic (embryonic) origin - e.g. medulloblastoma, medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma, ependymoma, medullary epithelioma, atypical teratoid neoplasm (rhabdoid), primitive supratentorial neuroETectodermal neoplasms
  • neoplasms with unexplained histogenesis - astrocytoma, brain glioma, choroidal glioma of the choroid plexus of the third ventricle
  • neoplasms of the choroid plexus - papilloma of the choroid plexus, cancer of the choroid plexus
  • neuronal and mixed neural-glial tumors - e.g. ganglion, dysplastic cerebellar ganglion, central neuroblastoma, cerebellar cell lipomaton
  • neuroepithelial tumors originating from pineal parenchyma - pineal, embryonic pineal

II. Other central nervous system tumors

  • neoplasms of cranial and spinal nerves - neuroblastoma, malignant neoplasm of peripheral nerve sheaths
  • meningothelial tumors of the meninges - e.g. meningioma
  • lymphomas and neoplasms of the haematopoietic system - malignant lymphomas, plasma cell tumor, myeloid granulocytic sarcoma
  • germ cell tumors - e.g. germ cell, teratoma
  • tumors around the Turkish saddle - e.g. craniopharyngioma
  • spreading tumorsper continuam- paraganglioma, chordate, chondrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma
  • cysts and neoplastic lesions - e.g. Rathke's fissure cyst, dermal cyst, granular cell tumor, neuronal hamartoma of the hypothalamus

Category:

Oncology