Brain stem tumor

The symptoms of brain stem tumors vary greatly and can include ataxia, cranial nerve palsy, headaches, problems with speech and swallowing, hearing loss, weakness, hemiparesis, vision abnormalities, ptosis, and behavioral changes. Another possible symptom is vomiting. Headaches related to brainstem tumors may be worse shortly after waking up in the morning.http://neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/abta/primer.htm{{full citation needed|date=February 2017}}

An MRI is better than a CT scan when a brainstem tumor is in the differential diagnosis.{{cn|date=July 2021}}

The most common form of brainstem tumor is the brainstem glioma.

Treatment typically consists of radiotherapy and steroids for palliation of symptoms.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} Radiotherapy may result in minimally extended survival time.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}

Prognosis is very poor, with only 37% of treated patients surviving one year or more.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} Topotecan has been studied in the treatment of brainstem glioma,{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} otherwise, chemotherapy is probably ineffective, though further study is needed.{{EMedicine|article|1156030|Brainstem Gliomas|treatment}}

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• [http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary?CdrID=45625 Brain stem tumor] entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

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Category:Nervous system neoplasia

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