Brain Brain TumorTumor

Dr. Walaa NasrDr. Walaa Nasr

Lecturer of Medical-Surgical Lecturer of Medical-Surgical

Nursing DepartmentNursing Department

Second yearSecond year

20122012

Brain tumorBrain tumor

OutlinesOutlines Introduction Introduction Definition Definition Classification of brain tumors Classification of brain tumors Risk factors for brain tumorsRisk factors for brain tumors Signs and symptoms of brain tumorSigns and symptoms of brain tumor Diagnosis of brain tumorDiagnosis of brain tumor Treatment of brain tumorTreatment of brain tumor Nursing managementNursing management

Brain tumorBrain tumorIntroductionIntroduction

Definition of brain tumorDefinition of brain tumor

A brain tumor is a A brain tumor is a localized intracranial localized intracranial

lesionlesion which occupies which occupies space with the skull space with the skull

and tends to cause a and tends to cause a riserise in intracranial in intracranial

pressure.pressure.

Classification of brain Classification of brain tumorstumors

Brain tumors can be benign or malignantBrain tumors can be benign or malignant

Benign brain tumors:Benign brain tumors: Benign brain tumors Benign brain tumors do notdo not contain contain

cancer cells: usually, benign cancer cells: usually, benign tumors can be removed, and they tumors can be removed, and they seldom grow back.seldom grow back.

The border or The border or edgeedge of a benign of a benign brain tumor can be clearly seen. brain tumor can be clearly seen. Cells from benign tumors do not Cells from benign tumors do not invade tissues around them or invade tissues around them or spread to other parts of the body. spread to other parts of the body.

Classification of brain Classification of brain tumorstumors(cont…)(cont…)

However, benign tumors can However, benign tumors can presspress on sensitive areas of the brain and on sensitive areas of the brain and cause serious health problems.cause serious health problems.

Unlike benign tumors in most other Unlike benign tumors in most other parts of the body, benign brain parts of the body, benign brain tumors are sometimes tumors are sometimes life life threateningthreatening..

Very rarely, a benign brain tumor Very rarely, a benign brain tumor may may becomebecome malignant. malignant.

Classification of brain Classification of brain tumorstumors(cont…)(cont…)Malignant brain tumors:Malignant brain tumors:

Malignant brain tumors are Malignant brain tumors are generally more serious and often is generally more serious and often is life threatening. It may be life threatening. It may be primaryprimary (the tumor originate from the brain (the tumor originate from the brain tissue) or tissue) or secondarysecondary (metastasis (metastasis from others tumor elsewhere in the from others tumor elsewhere in the body).body).

They are likely to grow They are likely to grow rapidlyrapidly and and invade the surrounding healthy invade the surrounding healthy brain tissue.brain tissue.

Classification of brain Classification of brain tumorstumors(cont…)(cont…)

Very rarely, cancer cells may Very rarely, cancer cells may break awaybreak away from a malignant from a malignant brain tumor and spread to other brain tumor and spread to other parts of the brain, to the spinal parts of the brain, to the spinal cord, or even to other parts of cord, or even to other parts of the body.the body.

Risk factors of the brain Risk factors of the brain tumortumor

BBeing maleeing male RRaceace AAgege FFamily historyamily history BBeing exposed to eing exposed to

radiation or certain radiation or certain chemicals at workchemicals at work

Symptoms related to increased intracranial Symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure such as:pressure such as:

Decrease in level of Decrease in level of consciousnessconsciousness such as such as confusion and lethargy.confusion and lethargy.

HeadacheHeadache most common in most common in the early morning and made the early morning and made worse by coughing or worse by coughing or strainingstraining

Signs and symptoms of brain Signs and symptoms of brain tumortumor

Vomiting

Papilledema ( edema of optic nerve) and visual disturbance

Alteration in mental status.

Signs and symptoms of brain Signs and symptoms of brain tumor (cont…)tumor (cont…)

Signs and symptoms of brain Signs and symptoms of brain tumor (cont…)tumor (cont…)

Localized symptoms such as:Localized symptoms such as: AAphasiaphasia PPersonality changes as in ersonality changes as in

case of frontal lobe tumorcase of frontal lobe tumor SSensory defects ( smell, ensory defects ( smell,

hearing).hearing). SSeizures.eizures. MMotor abnormalitiesotor abnormalities

Diagnosis of brain tumorDiagnosis of brain tumor

PPhysical examhysical exam NNeurological examinationeurological examination BBrain CT scanrain CT scan MMRI on brainRI on brain AAngiogram ngiogram SSpinal tappinal tap BBiopsyiopsy

Treatment of brain Treatment of brain tumortumor

A variety of medical treatment A variety of medical treatment modalities, including modalities, including

chemotherapychemotherapy and and radiotherapy, are used alone or radiotherapy, are used alone or

in combination with in combination with surgical surgical resectionresection..

Supportive care include:Supportive care include: SteroidsSteroids

Anticonvulsant drugsAnticonvulsant drugs

Nursing managementNursing management

AAssessmentssessmentNNursing interventionursing intervention PPost operative ost operative Nursing care Nursing care considerationsconsiderations