Brain Tumors: Consequential Diseases

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by brain tumors:

Cardiovascular system (I00-I99).

Neoplasms – tumor diseases (C00-D48).

  • Hemorrhage into the tumor

Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99)

  • Affective disorders (mood disorders)
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Epilepsy (seizures)
  • Cognitive disorders (memory disorders)

Prognostic factors

  • Prognostic influencing factors for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are:
    • Age <60 years
    • Functional status: Karnofsky performance status ≥ 70
    • EGFR gene: EGFR amplification less frequent.
    • Isocitrate dehydrogenase gene: IDH1/2 mutation.
    • MGMT gene promoter: positive methylation status.
    • Tumor location: tumor-free subventricular zone; non-eloquent region.
    • Tumor resection: “gross total resection”
    • TMZ concomitant + adjuvant: TMZ response
    • Chemotherapy with nitrosourea: radiochemotherapy (RCTX).
    • Chemotherapy: Salvage chemotherapy
    • Neurosurgical intervention: ≥ 2 surgeries.
    • Radiotherapy: re-irradiation

Legend

  • EGFR = “epidermal growth factor receptor”
  • MGMT = O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase.
  • TMZ = temozolomide