NCLEX Tumor Review

Primary Tumors

• Neuromas- 80-90% of brain tumors, named for what part of nerve cell affected.
• Meningiomas- outside of arachnoidal tissue, usually benign and slow growing
• Glioblastoma Multiform-50% of all primary tumors, linked to specific genetic mutations

Secondary Tumors

• Metastatic carcinomas

Scale –degree of anaplasia: differentiation of mature (good) vs. immature cells (bad)

Grade I: up to 25% anaplasia

Grade II: 26-50% anaplasia

Grade III: 51-75% anaplasia

Grade IV: 76-100% anaplasia

Primary Tumor Effect:

1. Headaches
2. Vomiting

Secondary Tumor Effect:

1. Direct compression/necrosis
2. Herniation of brain tissue
3. Increase ICP

Noteworthy Tumor Markers

1. AFP
2. Alkaline phosphatase
3. b-hCG
4. CA-125
5. PSA