A frontal lobe neoplasm might present with an array of symptoms that are collectively included in the "frontal lobe syndrome". Personality and abrupt emotional changes (aggression, apathy, impulsive behavior), and an overall decline of the functions for which the frontal lobe is crucial - planning, judgment, attention, memory, concentration- are some of the main findings. The diagnosis can be made through a detailed clinical investigation, followed by imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT), but more commonly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Presentation
The clinical presentation of a frontal lobe neoplasm comprises various symptoms related to the tasks that the frontal lobe is responsible for - planning, organization, critical thinking, and most importantly, cognition [1] [2] [3] [4]. The term "frontal lobe syndrome" is often used to depict the signs and symptoms observed in these patients [2] [3]. Personality and mood changes are one of the most prominent findings in the setting of a frontal lobe neoplasm and manifest as uncharacteristically impulsive behavior, bouts of aggression, hypersexuality, apathy, or a combination of all [1] [3] [4] [5]. Depression, paranoia, and/or mania is commonly encountered patients with frontal lobe neoplasms [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. Loss of memory and/or focus, withdrawal from social life, and a reduced capacity for judgment are other notable signs of frontal lobe dysfunction [3]. Some authors have established that specific symptoms arise as a result of damage to specific areas of the frontal lobe [2] [3]. Namely, behavioral and personality deficits are most likely to occur if the prefrontal cortex is damaged, whereas cognitive dysfunction is highly indicative of an ongoing process in the dorsolateral region of the frontal lobe [2] [3]. Loss of the sense of smell (anosmia) is another important sign that must include frontal lobe tumors in the differential diagnosis, particularly in the presence of behavioral or cognitive symptoms [6] [7].
Entire Body System
- Weakness
When this happens, hydrocephalus, stiff neck, head tilt, and weakness may result. Symptoms produced by a tumor of the meninges ( meningioma ) depend on which area of the brain is being compressed. [healthcommunities.com]
At this current presentation for left extremity weakness, the neurological examination discovered decreased muscle strength of the left side. [path.upmc.edu]
Facial muscle weakness. Dizziness. Unsteadiness and incoordination, hydrocephalus (increased pressure inside the brain), voice and swallowing difficulties. [neurosurgery.ucla.edu]
While some patients might undergo therapy for serious deficits including severe muscle weakness and difficulty with speech, others may experience only minimal effects, such as slight muscle weakness or memory problems. [curetoday.com]
If the area representing movement is affected, there may be weakness on the opposite side. There may be changes in speech and sense of smell. The frontal lobe plays a vital role in thinking, judgment, planning and emotions. [livestrong.com]
- Fatigue
How can I cope with fatigue? Patients with benign and malignant brain tumors and long-term survivors often experience fatigue. [lahey.org]
In rare cases, stereotactic surgery causes fatigue and a few episodes of mild headaches. Driving instructions – In some cases, patients may be advised not to drive a vehicle for a period of time. [brain-surgery.com]
Although chemotherapy has many short-term side effects (such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss), it has fewer long-term side effects than radiation therapy. [kidshealth.org]
I realize now that it is probably a direct result of fatigue. I find this so frustrating as I want to get back to my old self. I realize though that that probably isn't going to happen. [braintumour.ca]
People with brain tumours often feel fatigued for a variety of reasons and being tired can affect your ability to memorise or remember things. Likewise, get a good amount of sleep (6-8 hours) to help with this. [thebraintumourcharity.org]
- Difficulty Walking
Frontal lobe difficulty with planning or organising changes in behaviour, personality and social skills depression or mood swings weakness in part of the face, or on one side of the body difficulty walking loss of sense of smell sight or speech problems [cancervic.org.au]
walking and speaking, flickering of the eyes, vomiting and a stiff neck the brain stem - may cause unsteadiness and difficulty walking, facial weakness, double vision and difficulty speaking and swallowing Causes Benign brain tumours that are present [your.md]
[…] movements hand tremors loss of balance loss of bladder or bowel control numbness or tingling on one side of the body trouble speaking or understanding what others are saying changes in mood, personality, emotions, and behavior difficulty walking muscle [healthline.com]
Confusion Any numbness, arm or leg weakness, back pain, difficulty walking. Loss of control of bowel or bladder. Numbers 6,7 are more common with spinal metastases. [virtualtrials.com]
Also, if tumors develop near parts of the brain that control vital functions, they may cause problems, such as weakness, difficulty walking, loss of balance, partial or complete loss of vision, difficulty understanding or using language, and problems [merckmanuals.com]
- Fever
Fever. .. .. c. Seizure. .. .. d. "flu-like" symptoms. .. .. e. Headaches with early morning emesis 3. Brain stem tumors:. .. .. a. Should always be biopsied. .. .. b. Are infratentorial. .. .. c. Can be cured with aggressive resection. .. .. d. [hawaii.edu]
Later, as the pressure within the skull increases, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, increased drowsiness, intermittent fever, and even coma may occur. Vision may blur suddenly when people change positions. [merckmanuals.com]
Respiratoric
- Anosmia
Loss of the sense of smell (anosmia) is another important sign that must include frontal lobe tumors in the differential diagnosis, particularly in the presence of behavioral or cognitive symptoms. [symptoma.com]
Headache Visual changes Nausea Vomiting Mental changes Lethargy Behavior changes Seizures Hemiparesis, hemiplegia Incoordination Ataxia Anosmia (inability to smell) Papilledema (optic disc swelling, ICP) Sensory impairments Cranial n. palsies Language [quizlet.com]
[…] compression of the sixth cranial nerve at the base of the brain Impaired upward gaze, called Parinaud syndrome, may occur with pineal tumors Tumors of the occipital lobe specifically may produce homonymous hemianopia or partial visual field deficits Anosmia [emedicine.medscape.com]
Location - Olfactory Groove and sella (bony space where the pituitary gland is situated) Common Symptoms - Loss of smell (anosmia), subtle personality changes, mild difficulty with memory, euphoria, diminished concentration, urinary incontinence, visual [neurosurgery.ucla.edu]
Eyes
- Diplopia
Findings may include the following: Papilledema, which is more prevalent with pediatric brain tumors, reflects an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) of several days or longer Diplopia may result from displacement or compression of the sixth cranial [emedicine.medscape.com]
Questions & answers about brain tumours Question Showing signs of increased I/C pressure, occasional blurring of vision and diplopia. Severe headaches, nausea, occasional vomiting. MRI & Ct scan but no biopsy performed. [canceradvice.co.uk]
Musculoskeletal
- Fracture
There are not many predisposing factors associated with the development of meningiomas, but a few include: Previous trauma – Meningiomas have been found at the site of previous trauma (such as near a previous skull fracture, scarred dura, or around foreign [brighamhealthhub.org]
Skull X-rays Brain tumors can cause breaks or fractures in the bones of the skull, and specific X-rays can show if this has occurred. These X-rays can also pick up calcium deposits, which are sometimes contained within a tumor. [healthline.com]
Psychiatrical
- Distractibility
Loss of attention - the patient displays a lack of interest and is easily distracted. Memory is normal but the patient cannot be bothered to remember. Loss of abstract thought - eg, cannot understand proverbs. [patient.info]
Reduce noise and minimise distractions - it's more difficult to remember or learn new things when your environment is noisy or busy. Mobile phones - your mobile phone can be used in many ways to help with memory. [thebraintumourcharity.org]
- Euphoria
Location - Olfactory Groove and sella (bony space where the pituitary gland is situated) Common Symptoms - Loss of smell (anosmia), subtle personality changes, mild difficulty with memory, euphoria, diminished concentration, urinary incontinence, visual [neurosurgery.ucla.edu]
Urogenital
- Urinary Incontinence
Location - Olfactory Groove and sella (bony space where the pituitary gland is situated) Common Symptoms - Loss of smell (anosmia), subtle personality changes, mild difficulty with memory, euphoria, diminished concentration, urinary incontinence, visual [neurosurgery.ucla.edu]
Children with metastatic tumors (some primitive neuroectodermal or germ cell tumors) often present with metastases to the spinal cord and cauda equina, and may have back pain, urinary incontinence, or focal extremity weakness or sensory loss. [hawaii.edu]
Neurologic
- Seizure
It is common for low grade glioma to present with seizures, however it’s uncommon for it to present with nonepileptic seizures. [austinpublishinggroup.com]
New-onset seizures likewise require immediate medical care. [livestrong.com]
Postoperative Considerations The risk of post-operative seizures is significant [15]. Oligodendrogliomas [29], extraaxial lesions such as meningiomas [21] as well as slow growing lesions [13] carry a higher risk of post-operative seizure activity. [openanesthesia.org]
A tumor in the parietal lobe may cause the following symptoms: Impaired speech Inability to write Lack of recognition Seizures Spatial disorders Vision loss in one or both eyes and seizures may result from a tumor located in the occipital lobe. [healthcommunities.com]
Prognosis is excellent, however, due to the difficulty in managing seizure medically, patients usually undergo resection and even in cases of incomplete resection, seizures frequently cease. [radiopaedia.org]
- Headache
[…] fx for ages 50-60 Rapidly progressive symptoms: - unilateral headache followed by general headache - increased ICP - seizures - lethargy - memory loss - motor weakness - personality changes What is the survival rate for low grade astrocytomas w/ full [quizlet.com]
(Image: Purestock/Purestock/Getty Images) Though most people with headaches do not have brain tumors, headache is an initial symptom in about 20 percent of people with tumors, and up to 60 percent will develop headaches, according to "Neurology in Clinical [livestrong.com]
[1, 2, 3] In patients with established headache, may manifest as a change in the headache pattern New onset of headaches in middle-aged or older patients is worrisome The location of the headache reliably indicates the side of the head affected, but [emedicine.medscape.com]
Nausea, vomiting, and headaches are common symptoms. Brain tumors can damage vital neurological pathways and invade and compress brain tissue. Symptoms usually develop over time and their characteristics depend on the location and size of the tumor. [healthcommunities.com]
The headache may be most intense when people awaken from sleep, then lessen later in the day. If headaches with these characteristics start in people who have not had headaches before, a brain tumor may be the cause. [merckmanuals.com]
- Confusion
[…] of the legs at night associated with transient confusion and headache the next morning. [austinpublishinggroup.com]
A man is standing by his confused wife. (Image: Dean Mitchell/iStock/Getty Images) The frontal lobe serves many important functions. Depending on the tumor's size and location, its effects will vary. [livestrong.com]
[…] adults) weakness of a limb or part of the face a change in mental functioning Other common symptoms include: clumsiness memory loss confusion difficulty writing or reading changes in the ability to hear, taste, or smell decreased alertness, which may [healthline.com]
[…] a brain tumor, which depend on the size, location, and rate of growth, may include frequent and severe headaches; unexplained nausea and vomiting; vision problems; loss of sensation or movement in arms or legs; balance, speech, or hearing problems; confusion [fortherecordmag.com]
Headache Insomnia Drowsiness Changes in Personality Confusion Depression Easily Irritable Impaired judgement Loss of Vision Decreased heart and respiratory rate Communication problems Slurred speech Seizures Short-term memory loss With the water cures [watercures.org]
- Personality Change
Location - Sphenoid Ridge Common Symptoms - Eye-bulging, decreased vision, paralysis of eye movement, seizures, memory difficulty, personality change, headache. [neurosurgery.ucla.edu]
Symptoms vary depending on the location of the brain tumor, but can also include any of the following: Persistent headaches Double or blurred vision Vomiting Loss of appetite Changes in mood and personality Changes in ability to think and learn New seizures [aans.org]
Headache Visual changes Nausea Vomiting Mental changes Lethargy Behavior changes Seizures Hemiparesis, hemiplegia Incoordination Ataxia Anosmia (inability to smell) Papilledema (optic disc swelling, ICP) Sensory impairments Cranial n. palsies Language [quizlet.com]
The most common symptoms are seizures, headaches, and personality changes. Other symptoms vary by location and size of the tumor. [abta.org]
Other symptoms can include seizures, memory loss, physical weakness, loss of muscle control, visual symptoms, language problems, cognitive decline, and personality changes. These symptoms may change, according to which part of the brain is affected. [webmd.com]
- Papilledema
Findings may include the following: Papilledema, which is more prevalent with pediatric brain tumors, reflects an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) of several days or longer Diplopia may result from displacement or compression of the sixth cranial [emedicine.medscape.com]
Headache Visual changes Nausea Vomiting Mental changes Lethargy Behavior changes Seizures Hemiparesis, hemiplegia Incoordination Ataxia Anosmia (inability to smell) Papilledema (optic disc swelling, ICP) Sensory impairments Cranial n. palsies Language [quizlet.com]
[…] cause the following: Behavioral and emotional changes Impaired judgment Impaired sense of smell Memory loss Paralysis on one side of the body (hemiplegia) Reduced mental capacity (cognitive function) Vision loss and inflammation of the optic nerve (papilledema [healthcommunities.com]
[…] field testing (see the section on papilledema in Chapter 1 ). [dartmouth.edu]
On the left NECT and enhanced CT-images of a 33-year-old female with severe headache (worse in the a.m.), reduction in visual acuity and visual fields and papilledema. Continue with the MR images. [radiologyassistant.nl]
Workup
The first and most important step of the diagnostic workup is a complete clinical assessment. A properly obtained patient history that determines the presence of even minor neurological deficits and a thorough physical examination that identifies these changes are sufficient to make a presumptive diagnosis. Both specific (anosmia, apraxia, and personality or cognitive deficits) and nonspecific (weight loss, improper sleep, anorexia, etc.) signs can point to an underlying process in the brain [1], providing sufficient evidence to employ imaging studies. CT and MRI are very useful for macroscopic evaluation of the brain and allow for the identification of a frontal lobe neoplasm in a short period of time [1]. A CT scan is more feasible and is accompanied by less risk for patients compared to an MRI scan, but the latter is superior in visualizing neoplastic changes, particularly in the white matter [1]. Although larger studies promote the argument against routine neuroimaging studies in the case of psychiatric changes that may include a brain tumor in the differential diagnosis, the physician is obliged to think of a possible organic cause of such symptoms, one of them being a neoplasm [1] [8]. For further testing, MR spectroscopy, functional MRI (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging may be used [1].
Treatment
They may spread to other parts of the brain or into the spinal cord, and treatment must include the whole of this. Treatment Because there are different types of brain tumours, treatment will not be the same for everyone. [nhsinform.scot]
Treatment is dictated by the tumor's location and patient's symptoms. [aans.org]
Treatment for High-Grade Astrocytomas Treatment for high-grade astrocytomas (Grade III anaplastic astrocytomas or Grade IV glioblastomas multiforme) is surgery, if possible. [webmd.com]
How successful is meningioma treatment? Eighty percent of patients reported satisfaction with the quality of their lives after undergoing treatment. [brighamhealthhub.org]
Prognosis
Prognosis "Prognosis" is the medical term for a prediction of life expectancy. Keep in mind that these predictions are estimates. [abta.org]
What’s the Prognosis for Those With Gliomas? High-grade gliomas are fast-growing tumors. with a poor prognosis, especially for older patients. [webmd.com]
Prognosis is excellent, however, due to the difficulty in managing seizure medically, patients usually undergo resection and even in cases of incomplete resection, seizures frequently cease. [radiopaedia.org]
Certain mutations provide better prognosis than others. IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in gliomas, as well as deletion of chromosome arms 1p and 19q, generally indicate better prognosis. [en.wikipedia.org]
In this section: Definition | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prognosis MRI image showing a typical meningioma tumor A meningioma is a tumor that arises from a layer of tissue (the meninges) that covers the brain and spine. [neurosurgery.ucla.edu]
Etiology
Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. [icd10coded.com]
It is likely that while the etiology of PCNSL in the non-immunosuppressed remains obscure, in immunosuppressed individuals with reduced immune surveillance (under T cell control) the Epstein Barr virus (EBV) may be directly implicated. [thamburaj.com]
The etiology of these ‘tumors’ is not certain and the current acquaintance of the pathophysiology of this disease is based on an abnormal response by the myofibroblast to trauma, tissue injury, surgery, inflammation and so on. [cnjournal.biomedcentral.com]
In some instances, however, the symptoms are specific to the etiology. Hemorrhage, which can be parenchymal or extra-axial is the most common cause of intracranial mass lesions and is discussed in Chapter 27. [dartmouth.edu]
Epidemiology
Epidemiology Prevalence It was found in 19% of people aged ≥85years in one study. [ 2 ] There may be significant under-reporting due to the nature of the condition. [patient.info]
"Brain Tumor Epidemiology: Consensus from the Brain Tumor Epidemiology Consortium (BTEC)". Cancer. 113 (7 Suppl): 1953–68. doi : 10.1002/cncr.23741. PMC 2861559. PMID 18798534. ^ a b c "Cancer Stat Facts: Brain and Other Nervous System Cancer". [en.wikipedia.org]
The much publicised suggested risks of mobile phone use and habitat in proximity to ‘power lines’ have neither of them been shown (in well conducted epidemiological studies) to be related to an increased incidence of brain tumours. [canceradvice.co.uk]
Pathophysiology
The etiology of these ‘tumors’ is not certain and the current acquaintance of the pathophysiology of this disease is based on an abnormal response by the myofibroblast to trauma, tissue injury, surgery, inflammation and so on. [cnjournal.biomedcentral.com]
[…] energy emitted by the GSM (2G) phones that were in use when epidemiological studies that observed a slight increase in the risk for glioma – a malignant type of brain cancer – among heavy users of wireless and cordless telephones were conducted. [3] Pathophysiology [en.wikipedia.org]
Prevention
Measures such as neck compression (tourniquet) and volume loading can be helpful in preventing VAE. PEEP increases the risk of VAE. [openanesthesia.org]
Prevention Because the cause or causes of oligodenrogliomas are not known, there are no known preventions. Special concerns Repeat surgery may be necessary for oligodendrogliomas because these tumors sometimes redevelop. [encyclopedia.com]
When symptoms do occur, it is because the brain tumour is either putting pressure on the brain or preventing an area of the brain from functioning properly. [your.md]
Patients must take medications both before and after the surgery to prevent such complications. Seizures – Even for those patients who have never experienced seizures before, brain surgery patients may experience a few attacks after the operation. [brain-surgery.com]
If we did, then we would be able to treat them more effectively, or even prevent them occurring at all. [brainstrust.org.uk]
References
- Madhusoodanan S, Ting MB, Farah T, Ugur U. Psychiatric aspects of brain tumors: A review. World J Psychiatry. 2015;5(3):273-285.
- Filley CM, Kleinschmidt-DeMasters BK. Neurobehavioral presentations of brain neoplasms. West J Med. 1995;163:19–25.
- Arifin MZ, Yudoyono F, Setiawan C, Sidabutar R, Sutiono AB, Faried A. Comprehensive management of frontal and cerebellar tumor patients with personality changes and suicidal tendencies. Surg Neurol Int.. 2014;5:174.
- Kopp B, Rösser N, Tabeling S, et al. Performance on the Frontal Assessment Battery is sensitive to frontal lobe damage in stroke patients. BMC Neurol. 2013;13:179.
- Murphy P, Shallice T, Robinson G, et al. Impairments in proverb interpretation following focal frontal lobe lesions. Neuropsychologia. 2013;51:2075–2086.
- Yakhmi S, Sidhu BS, Kaur J, Kaur A. Diagnosis of frontal meningioma presenting with psychiatric symptoms. Indian J Psychiatry. 2015;57(1):91-93.
- Butler C, Zeman AZ. Neurological syndromes which can be mistaken for psychiatric conditions. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2005;76(Suppl 1):i31–8.
- Albon E, Tsourapas A, Frew E, et al. Structural neuroimaging in psychosis: a systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess. 2008;12:iii–iv, ix-163