Medical-surgical Nursing Demystified

(^222) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified

Brain Tumor

WHAT WENT WRONG?

A brain tumor is a growth of abnormal cells within the brain tissue. The tumor may

be a primary site that originated in the brain or a secondary site that has metastasized

from a cancer site elsewhere in the body. Because the tumor is growing within the

confined space of the skull, the patient will eventually develop signs of increased

intracranial pressure. Some cell types grow faster than others; the patients with the

more aggressive, fast-growing cancers will develop symptoms more quickly.

PROGNOSIS

Meningiomas are typically benign tumors that begin from the meninges (covering

the brain). They are more common in women and in people as they age. Treatment

is surgical removal, but the growth tends to recur.

Gliomas are malignant brain tumors of the neuroglial cells that tend to be fast-

growing. Patients have nonspecific symptoms of increased intracranial pressure.

Treatment typically includes surgical debulking of the tumor; complete removal is

often not possible at the time of diagnosis. Surgery is followed by radiation and

chemotherapy. Astrocytoma is the most common glioma and has a variable progno-

sis. Oligodendroglioma is more slow-growing and may be calcified. Glioblastoma is

a poorly differentiated glioma with a poor prognosis.

HALLMARK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Cerebellum or brain stem:
  
  
  • Lack of coordination—cerebellum helps coordinate gross movements
  
  
  • Hypotonia of limbs
  
  
  • Ataxia
  
  
  
  


• Frontal lobe:
  
  
  • Inability to speak (expressive aphasia)
  
  
  • Slowing of mental activity
  
  
  • Personality changes
  
  
  • Anosmia (loss of sense of smell)
  
  
  
  

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