CD-ROM Today 1996 January/CD-ROM Today 1996 January.iso/dp/0353/03538.txt

Text File | 1994-01-17 | 11.3 KB | 250 lines

$Unique_ID{BRK03538}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Brain Tumors, General}
$Subject{Brain Tumors General Intracranial Tumors Primary Tumors of Central
Nervous System Benign and Malignant Tumors of CNS Benign Brain Tumors
Malignant Brain Tumors Cluster Headache Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome Hydrocephalus
Pseudotumor Cerebri Meningitis}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991, 1992, 1993 National Organization for Rare Disorders,
Inc.

813:
Brain Tumors, General

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Brain Tumors, General)
is not the name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     Intracranial Tumors
     Primary Tumors of Central Nervous System
     Benign and Malignant Tumors of CNS

Disorder Subdivisions:

     Benign Brain Tumors
     Malignant Brain Tumors

Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:

     Cluster Headache
     Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome
     Hydrocephalus
     Pseudotumor Cerebri
     Meningitis

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.


Brain Tumors are abnormal growths in the brain that can be either
cancerous (malignant) of noncancerous (benign).  The effects on the brain of
malignant and benign brain tumors are very similar and can cause the same
types of problems depending upon the type of tumor and where it is located in
the brain.

Symptoms

Brain Tumors are characterized by symptoms that can often be confused with
other disorders.  Chronic headaches, behavior and thought changes,
convulsions, vomiting and swelling of the eyes (papilledema) are a few of the
common symptoms.  Other neurological signs that may indicate the existence of
a tumor include difficulties or changes in language, ataxia (unsteady
walking), sensory impairment and weakness.  Brain tumors produce generalized
symptoms because they cause swelling and compression in specific areas of the
brain.  Diagnosis is usually made by a neurologist using specific diagnostic
imaging tests such as CT (Computed Tomographic scans) or MRI (Magnetic
Resonance Imaging scans) of the patient's brain.

Benign Brain Tumors are usually slow growing and do not cause the death
of brain cells and vascular spreading that malignant brain tumors do.  There
are many different types of benign tumors such as astrocytomas, mesodermal
meningioma, neuroectodermal oligodendrogliomas and some forms of pineal
tumors, etc.  However, even though these types of tumors are most often
benign they can cause very serious complications if they are not completely
removed.

Malignant Brain Tumors consist of medulloblastomas, anaplastic
astrocytomas, Glioblastoma multiforme, vascular tumors, some pituitary
tumors, etc.  Adenomas, metastatic tumors and primary lymphomas are usually
highly malignant.  They may originate in the brain or spread to the brain
from other cancers elsewhere in the body.

Causes

The exact causes of brain tumors are unknown.  Some are thought to be
genetically transmitted, others are congenital (present at birth), and still
others develop later as a result of cancer in other parts of the body that
spreads to the brain and central nervous system.  Others occur for no
apparent cause.

Affected Population

Brain Tumors are not rare, although each subtype of tumor can be relatively
rare.  They affect males and females in equal numbers.  Brain tumors can
occur in children as well as adults.  Malignant brain tumors are the second
most common cancer in children, and in adults they are more common than
Hodgkin's disease.

Related Disorders

Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Brain Tumors.
Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:

Cluster Headaches are a rare form of severely disabling headache.  The
headache is a deep, non-throbbing, extremely painful one which tends to recur
in the same area of the head or face with each occurrence.  They usually come
on during sleep and awaken the patient.  They are typically associated with
watering of the eyes and nose.  (For more information on this disorder,
choose "Cluster Headache" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).

Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome is a rare disorder.  It includes chronic headaches,
mild fever and vision impairment followed by painful eye muscle paralysis.
Swelling, protrusion of the eye, drooping eyelid, diminished vision and
abnormal skin sensations around the eye may be associated with the paralysis.
These symptoms usually occur only on one side of the head.  Additionally,
symptoms often associated with migraine headaches such as double vision,
nausea, vomiting and a general feeling of discomfort may develop.  (For more
information on this disorder, choose "Tolosa-Hunt" as your search term in the
Rare Disease Database).

Hydrocephalus is characterized by swelling of the brain.  This is caused
by the abnormal dilation of the ventricles (cerebral spaces) in the brain and
the obstruction of the spinal fluid passages (ventricular block) of the
central nervous system.  This accumulation of fluid puts excessive pressure
on the tissues of the brain, and causes an enlargement of the head.
Hydrocephalus may be a congenital or an acquired disorder, and, if not
treated, may cause brain damage.  Headache, vomiting, weakness, giddiness,
uncoordinated movements, and eventually mental deterioration may occur.
Hydrocephalus may occur in conjunction with a brain tumor, or without any
tumor.  (For more information on this disorder, choose "Hydrocephalus" as
your search term in the Rare Disease Database).

Meningitis is a rare inflammation of the membranes of the brain and
spinal cord.  It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and other infectious
organisms.  The infection reaches the membranes (Meninges) of the brain
through the blood or Lymph system causing intense headache.  (For more
information on this disorder, choose "Meningitis" as your search term in the
Rare Disease Database).

Pseudotumor Cerebri is a rare syndrome of increased pressure inside the
skull.  The symptoms include headache of varying degrees of severity which
are unrelieved by medication.  A swelling of the optic disc (papilledema)
with progressive visual loss occurs in a small percentage of the patients.
Occasionally, there is a loss of strength and energy, and memory disturbances
that may interfere with daily life.  (For more information on this disorder,
choose "Pseudotumor Cerebri" as your search term in the Rare Disease
Database).

Therapies:  Standard

Treatment of Brain Tumors, whether they are malignant or benign, usually
consists of surgery to remove as much of the tumor as is possible without
causing damage to the surrounding tissue.  Surgery is often followed or
accompanied by radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments.

Therapies:  Investigational

There are many experimental treatments for brain tumors which are usually
tried when other standard therapies fail.  Some primary malignant Brain
Tumors are being treated with experimental orphan drugs such as Interferon
alfa-2b (recombinant).  Serratia marcescens extract (polyribosomes) is
another experimental orphan drug being used in the treatment of primary brain
malignancies.  The drug adenosine is being researched as a treatment for some
types of brain tumors as is the polymer implant containing biodegradable
carmustine (Biodel) which is placed in the brain for treatment of recurrent
malignant glioma.  Glioblastoma multiforme is usually treated with photon
therapy.  An alternative to that therapy is the experimental orphan drug
Borolife (sodium monomercaptoundecahydro-closo-dodecaborate).  Some types of
brain tumors are treated with implanted radioactive therapies.  All of these
investigational treatments require more research before they can be proven
safe and effective.  Lynn Hayes has received a New Grant Award from the
Office of Orphan Products for her studies of Phase 1/11:  IL-2/LAK for
Primary, Pediatric Brain Tumors.  Dr. Hayes is with New York University
Medical Center, New York, NY.  To learn more about experimental treatments of
brain tumors contact the Brain Tumor Research Association, listed in the
resources section of this report.

Liposome Encapsulated Recombinant Interleukin-2 is a new orphan product
being developed by Oncotherapweutics, Inc., 527 Marquette Ave., 9th Fl.,
Minneapolis, MN, 55402.  It is used to treat brain and CNS tumors.

An important breakthrough in the treatment of AVM's and deep-seated brain
tumors is the use of the Gamma Knife, a Swedish-made machine.  The machine
uses gamma rays from 201 cobalt-60 radioactive sources to destroy swollen
brain arteries and both malignant and benign brain tumors.  This machine,
located at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, is the first and only
one of its type in North America.  The success rate for treatment of both
AVM's and brain tumors is very impressive.

The orphan drug Interferon Beta, Recombinant Human, is being tested as a
treatment for brain tumors.  The drug is sponsored by:  Biogen, Inc., 14
Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA, 02142.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
February 1993.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate.  Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on General Brain Tumors, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     [phone]

     The American Brain Tumor Association
     3725 North Talman Ave.
     Chicago, IL  60618
     [phone]

     American Cancer Society
     1599 Clifton Rd., NE
     Atlanta, GA  30329
     [phone]

     NIH/National Cancer Institute (NCI)
     9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg. 31, Rm. 1A2A
     Bethesda, MD 20892
     1-800-4-CANCER

     The National Cancer Institute has developed PDQ (Physicians Data Query),
a computerized database designed to give the public, cancer patients and
families, and health professionals quick and easy access to many types of
Cancer Information Service (CIS):
     1-800-4-CANCER
     In Washington, DC and suburbs in Maryland and Virginia, 636-5700
     In Alaska, 1-800-638-6070
     In Oahu, Hawaii, 808-524-1234 (Neighbor islands call collect)

References

CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th Ed.:  James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H.
Smith, Jr., Editors; W.B. Saunders Co., 1988.  Pp. 2229-2238.

STEREOTAXIC IRRADIATION OF BRAIN TUMORS., D.A. Larson, et al,; Cancer,
(February 1, 1990, issue 65 (3 suppl)).  Pp. 792-799.

INTRACRANIAL EPENDYMOMA AND SUBEPENDYMOMA:  MR MANIFESTATIONS.  G.P.
Spoto, et al.; AJR Am J Roentgenol, (April, 1990, issue 154 (4)).  Pp. 837-
845.

CT AND MR FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH CHORDOMAS OF THE PETROUS APEX.  R.V.
Brown, et al,; AJNR (January-February, 1990, issue 11 (1)).  Pp. 121-124.