Tumors

Abnormal cell growth can cause spinal tumors. In primary spinal tumors (tumors that originate in the spine), it is unclear why the cells grow abnormally. Exposure to radiation or cancer-causing chemicals or environmental factors may be a cause. Genetics may also play a role. Cancer that has spread from another part of the body can cause secondary spinal tumors, or metastatic tumors.

BRAIN TUMORS 

A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in which cells grow and multiply seemingly unchecked by the mechanisms that control normal cells. The two main brain tumor groups are primary and metastatic.

Primary brain tumors include those which originate from the tissues of the brain, or the brain’s immediate surroundings. There are three categories for primary tumors, glial or non-glial, and benign or malignant.

In general, brain tumors are treated with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy – alone or in various combinations. Although radiation and chemotherapy are more often used for malignant, residual or recurrent tumors, treatment decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, depending on a number of factors. There are risks and side effects associated with each type of therapy.

Gliomas account for 78 percent of malignant brain tumors. They arise from the supporting cells of the brain, called the glia. These cells are subdivided into astrocytes, ependymal cells and ologodendroglial cells (or oligos).

Meningiomas are the most common benign brain tumors comprising 10 to 15 percent of all brain neoplasms. These tumors originate from the meninges, the membrane-like structures that surround the brain and spinal cord and are rarely malignant. Meningiomas may also arise in the spine.

The most common brain tumor after gliomas, meningiomas and schwannomas are pituitary adenomas. The large majority of pituitary adenomas are benign and fairly slow growing. Even malignant pituitary tumors rarely spread to other parts of the body. Adenomas are the most common disease affecting the pituitary. They most often occur in people in their 30s or 40s, but may also be diagnosed in children. Most can be treated with successful outcomes.

An acoustic neuroma is a benign primary brain tumor of the myelin-forming cells of the vestibulocochlear nerve. You can treat about 25% of all acoustic neuromas with medical management; periodic monitoring of the patient’s neurological status, and serial imaging studies.

Microsurgery for acoustic neuroma is the only technique that actually removes the tumor. Surgeons commonly use radiation treatment to slow or stop the growth of the tumor and is effective approximately 90% of the time. Most tumors will stabilize in size, and then will shrink slowly. Shrinkage occurs in approximately 1/3 of tumors within a year after treatment. After 4 years, 2/3 of tumors are smaller, and within 10 years, more than 90% have diminished in size.

In the rare cases that radiosurgery does not result in control of the tumor, it can generally be repeated, or the patient may undergo surgery at that time.

Schwannomas are common benign brain tumors in adults. They arise along nerves, comprised of cells that normally provide the “electrical insulation” for the nerve cells. Schwannomas often displace the remainder of the normal nerve instead of invading it. Acoustic neuromas are the most common schwannoma, arising from the eighth cranial nerve, or vestibular-cochlear nerve, which travels from the brain to the ear. Although these tumors are benign, they can cause serious complications if they grow and exert pressure on nerves and eventually on the brain. Schwannomas may also appear in the spine.

Metastatic brain tumors are tumors which arise elsewhere in the body (such as the breast or lungs) and migrate to the brain, usually through the bloodstream. Metastatic tumors are cancerous, and are malignant.

Further, metastatic tumors to the brain affect nearly one in four patients with cancer, or an estimated 150,000 people a year. In the past, the outcome for patients with these tumors was very poor. Newer sophisticated diagnostic tools and innovative surgical and radiation approaches can now lead to longer survival and a better quality of life, measured in months to years.

SPINAL TUMORS 

Abnormal cell growth cause spinal tumors. In primary spinal tumors (tumors that originate in the spine), it is unclear why the cells grow abnormally. Exposure to radiation or cancer-causing chemicals or environmental factors may be a cause. Genetics may also play a role. Cancer that has spread from another part of the body cause secondary spinal tumors, or metastatic tumors.

PERIPHERAL NERVE TUMORS 

Tumors arising from the peripheral nerves can cause pain, numbness, or even weakness in the area supplied by the nerve in which arise. The most common peripheral nerve tumors are schwannomas and neurofibromas, which may occur sporadically, or in association with a genetic syndrome of predisposition, such as neurofibromatosis.

The most common peripheral nerve tumors are schwannomas and neurofibromas, which may occur sporadically, or in association with a genetic syndrome of predisposition, such as neurofibromatosis.

Schedule an appointment with an ONS neurosurgery specialist or call (203) 869-1145

07/16/2019