Types of cranial tumors, their symptoms and treatments
Acoustic neuromas
Also called vestibular schwannomas, these are generally benign, slow-growing tumors of the nerves associated with hearing and balance. They usually occur in adults and are more prevalent in women than in men.
Common symptoms include dizziness, hearing loss and buzzing or ringing in the ear (tinnitus). Treatment may include microsurgery to remove the tumor completely and achieve a full cure, or stereotactic radiosurgery, which controls further growth of the tumor. Decisions on these treatments, both of which are available at the Center for Cranial Base Surgery, are made jointly by patients, their families and the medical team, following discussion of imaging studies and other test results.
Chordomas and chondrosarcomas
These slow-growing, rare tumors develop in the bone at the base of the skull.
Technically, they are considered malignant, but differ from malignant tumors
elsewhere in the body in that they do not frequently metastasize or spread.
Because these tumors often compress various cranial nerves of the brainstem,
symptoms may include double vision, facial numbness or difficulty with walking
or balance.
Radical surgical removal is the ideal treatment of choice, usually followed by proton beam radiation therapy. The Center for Cranial Base Surgery has a long and successful track record of treating these rare tumors.
Meningiomas
Originating in the meninges, the membranes outside the brain and spinal cord,
meningiomas are slow growing, often benign, and represent nearly 20 percent
of all primary brain tumors. They may occur anywhere inside the brain and
the spine. Meningiomas that occur at the base of the skull present the most
difficulty because of their location deep underneath the brain, and because
of their intimate involvement with cranial nerves and blood vessels and the
brainstem.
Symptoms vary according to tumor size and location and generally stem from the tumor causing increased pressure. Among the more common symptoms are headaches, personality change, confusion, muscle weakness, seizures and changes in vision.
Total surgical removal, which has been performed here with excellent outcomes, is the preferred meningioma treatment. If this is not possible, or if only part of the tumor can be removed, radiation therapy may be prescribed.
Pituitary tumors
Also known as pituitary adenomas, these generally benign, slow-growing tumors are located underneath the brain and behind the nose. The pituitary gland, which is vital for good health, secretes hormones that control the body's other glands and influence growth and metabolism.
Pituitary tumors, which are generally found in young and middle-aged adults, are classified as either non-secreting or secreting, that is, they secrete one of the pituitary gland's hormones. Symptoms are related to the type of hormone being released (or sometimes by hormone production being depressed) and may include impotence, cessation of menstruation, milky discharge from the breasts, abnormal body growth, hypertension, Cushing's syndrome (a hormonal disorder), or an overactive thyroid gland. Non-secreting tumors cause few symptoms and often grow large before they are detected. Patients with either type of tumor may experience headaches and vision loss because the adenoma may invade the optic chasm.
The tumor's hormonal profile determines the most effective treatment, which generally involves medication, surgical resection, stereotactic radiation, or a combination, all of which are available at the Center. Surgery is performed through endoscopes using minimally-invasive techniques.