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Conditions Treated

The LSU Brain Tumor Program was founded with the sole purpose of giving patients in Louisiana and the Gulf South area who have been diagnosed with a brain tumor, access to a world-class treatment facility that educates future neurosurgeons specializing in brain tumors; conducts clinical research and biomedical research; and provides patient-centered medicine to prevent, diagnose and treat brain tumors in their own backyard. The LSU Brain Tumor Program believes that when a individual faces serious illness, receiving a greater standard of care without compromising a patient’s access to their support network and families, provides a more favorable environment for treatment.

Astrocytomas

Astrocytomas are tumors that start in star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. An astrocyte is a type of glial cell. Glial cells hold nerve cells in place, bring food and oxygen to them, and help protect them from disease, such as infection. Gliomas are tumors that form from glial cells. An astrocytoma is a type of glioma. For More Information visit: Cancer.gov

ATRT - Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor

Central nervous system (CNS) atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a very rare, fast-growing tumor of the brain and spinal cord. It usually occurs in children aged three years and younger, although it can occur in older children and adults.

About half of these tumors form in the cerebellum or brain stem. The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls movement, balance, and posture. The brain stem controls breathing, heart rate, and the nerves and muscles used in seeing, hearing, walking, talking, and eating. AT/RT may also be found in other parts of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

For More Information visit: Cancer.gov

Source: Childhood Central Nervous System Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.

Brain Metasteses

Coming soon.

Chondrosarcoma

A type of cancer that forms in bone cartilage. It usually starts in the pelvis (between the hip bones), the shoulder, the ribs, or at the ends of the long bones of the arms and legs. A rare type of chondrosarcoma called extraskeletal chondrosarcoma does not form in bone cartilage. Instead, it forms in the soft tissues of the upper part of the arms and legs. Chondrosarcoma can occur at any age but is more common in people older than 40 years. It is a type of bone cancer.

For More Information visit: Cancer.gov

Choroid Plexus Tumors

These tumors arise from brain tissue called the “choroid plexus.” They commonly invade nearby tissue and spread widely via the cerebrospinal fluid.

Choroid plexus papilloma is a rare, benign (noncancerous) tumor. Choroid plexus carcinoma is the malignant (cancerous) form of the choroid plexus papilloma. Choroid plexus carcinoma occurs primarily in children.

For more information: atba.org

Source: American Brain Tumor Association

Craniopharyngioma

Childhood craniopharyngiomas are rare tumors usually found near the pituitary gland(a pea-sized organ at the bottom of the brain that controls other glands) and the hypothalamus (a small cone-shaped organ connected to the pituitary gland by nerves).

Craniopharyngiomas are usually part solid mass and part fluid -filled cyst. They are benign (not cancer) and do not spread to other parts of the brain or to other parts of the body. However, they may grow and press on nearby parts of the brain or other areas, including the pituitary gland, the optic chiasm, optic nerves, and fluid-filled spaces in the brain. Craniopharyngiomas may affect many functions of the brain. They may affect hormone making, growth, and vision. Benign brain tumors need treatment.

For more information: cancer.org

Source: Childhood Craniopharyngioma Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.

Ependymoma

The brain controls vital functions such as memory and learning, emotion, and the senses (hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch). The spinal cord is made up of bundles of nerve fibers that connect the brain with nerves in most parts of the body.

Ependymomas form from ependymal cells that line the ventricles and passageways in the brain and the spinal cord. Ependymal cells make cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

For more information: cancer.gov

Source: Childhood Ependymoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.

Germ Cell Tumor

Germ cell tumors grow anywhere in the body, but usually form in the pineal gland in the brain, the chest, the lower part of the spine, or the abdomen.

Germ cell tumors can be benign (noncancer) or malignant (cancer). Benign germ cell tumors are called benign teratomas. These are more common than malignant germ cell tumors and often are very large. The two types of malignant germ cell tumors are nonseminomas and seminomas. Nonseminomas tend to grow and spread more quickly than seminomas. Nonseminomas are usually large and cause signs and symptoms.

For more information: cancer.gov

Source: Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumors—Patient Version

Glioblastoma

A fast-growing type of central nervous system tumor that forms from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal cord and has cells that look very different from normal cells. Glioblastoma usually occurs in adults and affects the brain more often than the spinal cord. Also called GBM, glioblastoma multiforme, and grade IV astrocytoma.

For more information: cancer.gov

Glioma

Primary brain tumors, including brain stem gliomas, are a diverse group of diseases that together constitute the most common solid tumor of childhood. Immunohistochemical analysis, cytogenetic and molecular genetic findings, and measures of mitotic activity are increasingly used in tumor diagnosis and classification. Brain tumors are classified according to histology, but tumor location and extent of spread are important factors that affect treatment and prognosis.

Form more information: cancer.gov

Source:  Childhood Brain Stem Glioma Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.

(Juvenile) Pilocytic Astrocytoma

Coming Soon.

CNS Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system. The lymph system is part of the immune system and is made up of the lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils, and bone marrow. Lymphocytes (carried in the lymph) travel in and out of the central nervous system (CNS). It is thought that some of these lymphocytes become malignant and cause lymphoma to form in the CNS. Primary CNS lymphoma can start in the brain, spinal cord, or meninges (the layers that form the outer covering of the brain). Because the eye is so close to the brain, primary CNS lymphoma can also start in the eye (called ocular lymphoma).

For more information: cancer.gov

Source:  Primary CNS Lymphoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.”

Medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is a highly malignant embryonal tumor which commonly arises in the cerebellum. It is relatively rare and accounts for less than 2% of all primary brain tumors. The tumor primarily occurs in childhood; however, rarely, it may be found in adult population. In addition, medulloblastoma in adult population shows features which are quite distinct from the pediatric group.

Meningioma

Meningiomas are often benign tumors arising from the coverings of the brain and spinal cord. Although meningiomas are referred to as brain tumors, they do not grow from brain tissue. They arise from the meninges, which are three thin layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. These tumors are most often found near the top and the outer curve of the brain. Tumors may also form at the base of the skull.

For more information: abta.org

Source: American Brain Tumor Association

Neurofibroma

 

For more information: abta.org

Source: American Brain Tumor Association

Neurofibromatosis 1 & 2

Coming soon.

Neurological Complications of Cancer

Coming soon.

Neuronal & Mixed Neuronal-Glial Tumors

Neuronal & Mixed Neuronal-Glial Tumors are rare, benign tumors come from ganglion-type cells, which are groups of nerve cells. These tumors are commonly located in the temporal lobe of the cerebral hemispheres and the third ventricle. They may also occur in the spine. These tumors are small and slow-growing and have distinct margins. Metastasis and malignancy are very rare. Seizures are the most common symptom experienced by patients with these kinds of tumors.

 

For more information: abta.org

Source: American Brain Tumor Association

Oligoastrocytoma

A brain tumor that forms from both oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, which are types of glial cells (cells that cover and protect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and help them work the way they should). An oligoastrocytoma is a type of mixed glioma.

For more information: cancer.gov

Source:  Adult Central Nervous System Tumors Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.

Oligodendroglioma

A rare, slow-growing tumor that begins in oligodendrocytes (cells that cover and protect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord). Also called oligodendroglial tumor.

For more information: cancer.gov

Source:  Adult Central Nervous System Tumors Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.

Pineal Tumor

These tumors originate from normal cells in the pineal gland. The pineal gland is located in the center of the brain and is involved in the secretion of specific hormones.

There are three types of pineal tumors:

  • Pineocytoma: Slow-growing, grade II tumor.
  • Pineoblastoma: More aggressive, grade IV, malignant tumor. A grade III intermediate form has also been described.
  • Mixed Pineal Tumor: Contains a combination of cell types.

For more information: abta.org

Source: American Brain Tumor Association

Pituitary Tumor

The pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain, just above the back of the nose. It makes different hormones that affect the way many parts of the body work. Most pituitary tumors are benign (not cancer), and are called pituitary adenomas. These tumors grow very slowly. They do not spread from the pituitary gland to distant parts of the body, but they sometimes spread to the bones of the skull or sinus cavity near the pituitary gland. A very small number of pituitary tumors are malignant (cancer) and can spread to distant parts of the body.

Most pituitary tumors make more hormones than normal pituitary cells. The extra hormones may cause signs or symptoms of disease. The signs and symptoms depend on which hormone is being made. A family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome, Carney complex, or isolated familial acromegaly increases the risk of pituitary tumors.

For more information: cancer.gov

Source:  Pituitary Tumors—Patient Version – cancer.gov

Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors (PNET)

PNET (primitive neuroectodermal tumor) is a name used for tumors which appear identical under the microscope to medulloblastoma, but occur primarily in the cerebrum. PNET is used by some to refer to tumors such as the pineoblastoma, polar spongioblastoma, medulloblastoma, and medulloepithelioma. Except for medulloblastoma, these are all very rare tumors. PNETs occur primarily in the cerebrum, but can spread to other parts of the brain and spine. PNETs contain underdeveloped brain cells, are highly malignant, and tend to spread throughout the central nervous system. These tumors often contain areas of dead tumor cells (necrosis) and cysts. Fluid surrounding the tumor is not uncommon.

For more information: abta.org

Source: American Brain Tumor Association

Schwannoma

Schwannoma is a benign tumor of the nerve of hearing (the 8th cranial nerve, also known as the acoustic or vestibulocochlear nerve). Schwannomas are usually located in the angle between the cerebellum and the pons, in the back of the skull (the posterior fossa). Schwannomas are usually very slow-growing. Common symptoms of Schwannoma are one-sided hearing loss and buzzing or ringing in the ear. Dizziness may also occur, although it is less common. If the tumor affects the facial nerve (the 7th cranial nerve, which is located next to the 8th cranial nerve), facial paralysis may occur. Other symptoms include difficulty in swallowing, impaired eye movement, taste disturbances, and unsteadiness.

For more information: abta.org

Source: American Brain Tumor Association