Brain Tumor Dr Walaa Nasr Lecturer of MedicalSurgical

Brain Tumor Dr. Walaa Nasr Lecturer of Medical-Surgical Nursing Department Second year 2012

Brain tumor Outlines Introduction n Definition n Classification of brain tumors n Risk factors for brain tumors n Signs and symptoms of brain tumor n Diagnosis of brain tumor n Treatment of brain tumor n Nursing management n

Brain tumor Introduction

Definition of brain tumor A brain tumor is a localized intracranial lesion which occupies space with the skull and tends to cause a rise in intracranial pressure.

Classification of brain tumors Brain tumors can be benign or malignant Benign brain tumors: n Benign brain tumors do not contain cancer cells: usually, benign tumors can be removed, and they seldom grow back. n The border or edge of a benign brain tumor can be clearly seen. Cells from benign tumors do not invade tissues around them or spread to other parts of the body.

Classification of brain tumors (cont…) However, benign tumors can press on sensitive areas of the brain and cause serious health problems. n n Unlike benign tumors in most other parts of the body, benign brain tumors are sometimes life threatening. Very rarely, a benign brain tumor may become malignant.

Classification of brain tumors (cont…) Malignant brain tumors: n Malignant brain tumors are generally more serious and often is life threatening. It may be primary (the tumor originate from the brain tissue) or secondary (metastasis from others tumor elsewhere in the body). n They are likely to grow rapidly and invade the surrounding healthy brain tissue.

Classification of brain tumors (cont…) n Very rarely, cancer cells may break away from a malignant brain tumor and spread to other parts of the brain, to the spinal cord, or even to other parts of the body.

Risk factors of the brain tumor n n n Being male Race Age Family history Being exposed to radiation or certain chemicals at work

Signs and symptoms of brain tumor n Symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure such as: n Decrease in level consciousness such confusion and lethargy. n Headache of as most common in the early morning and made worse by coughing or straining

Signs and symptoms of brain tumor (cont…) n. Vomiting n. Papilledema optic nerve) disturbance n. Alteration ( edema of and visual in mental status.

Signs and symptoms of brain tumor (cont…) Localized symptoms such as: n Aphasia n Personality changes as in case of frontal lobe tumor n Sensory defects ( smell, hearing). n Seizures. n Motor abnormalities

Diagnosis of brain tumor n n n n Physical exam Neurological examination Brain CT scan MRI on brain Angiogram Spinal tap Biopsy

Treatment of brain tumor A variety of medical treatment modalities, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are used alone or in combination with surgical resection. n Supportive care include: n Steroids n Anticonvulsant drugs n

Nursing management Assessment n. Nursing intervention n Post operative Nursing care considerations n