The following is a brief explanation of medical terms relating to the brain, spinal cord and tumors affecting the central nervous system.

Acoustic (ah-KOOS-tik):

Related to sound or hearing.

Acoustic Neuroma (an-ah-PLAS-tik):

An acoustic neuroma, also called a vestibular schwannoma, is a benignintracranial tumor of the myelin-forming cells of the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII).

For more information, see:
Acoustic Neuroma Diagnosis and Treatment

Anaplastic (an-ah-PLAS-tik):

A term used to describe cancer cells that divide rapidly and bear little or no resemblance to normal cells.

Angiogram (AN-jee-o-gram):

An x-ray of blood vessels. A dye is injected into an artery to outline the blood vessels on the x-ray picture. Also called an arteriogram (ar-TEER-ee-o-gram). .

Anticonvulsant (an-ti-kon-VUL-sant):

Medicine to stop, prevent, or control seizures (convulsions).

Astrocytoma (as-tro-sy-TO-ma):

A type of brain tumor. Astrocytomas arise from small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes that are a subtype of glial cells. They may grow anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. In adults, astrocytomas most often arise in the cerebrum. In children, they occur in the brain stem, the cerebrum, and the cerebellum. A grade I astrocytoma is usually found in children and is also called a Pilocytic astrocytoma. A grade II astrocytoma is also called a low grade astrocytoma. A grade III astrocytoma is sometimes called anaplastic astrocytoma. A grade IV astrocytoma is usually called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Ataxic gait (ah-TAK-sik):

Awkward, uncoordinated walking.

 

Benign (bee-NINE):

Not cancerous; a benign brain tumor may be life threatening, depending on its size and location.

Biological therapy:

Treatment with substances called biological response modifiers that can stimulate the immune system to fight disease more effectively. Also called immunotherapy.

Biopsy (BY-op-see):

The removal of a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

Bone marrow:

The soft, spongy tissue in the center of many bones. Red bone marrow produces blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets).

Bone marrow transplantation (tranz-plan-TAY-shun):

A procedure in which doctors use marrow taken from a patient before treatment or from another person to replace marrow destroyed by high doses of radiation or anticancer drugs.

Brain stem:

The stemlike part of the brain that is connected to the spinal cord.

Brain stem glioma (glee-O-ma):

A type of brain tumor. Brain stem gliomas occur in the lowest, stemlike part of the brain. The brain stem controls many vital functions. Tumors in this area generally cannot be removed. Most brain stem gliomas are high-grade astrocytomas.

Cancer:

A term for more than 100 diseases in which abnormal cells grow out of control. Cancer is characterized by the ability of cells to divide rapidly, spread to other locations and recruit new blood supply.

Central nervous system:

The brain and the spinal cord. Also called CNS.

Cerebellum (sair-uh-BELL-um):

The portion of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem.

Cerebral hemispheres (seh-REE-bral HEM-iss-feerz):

The two halves of the cerebrum.

Cerebrospinal fluid (seh-REE-bro-SPY-nal):

The watery fluid flowing around the brain and spinal cord. Also called CSF.

Cerebrum (seh-REE-brum):

The largest part of the brain. It is divided into two hemispheres, or halves.

Chemotherapy (kee-mo-THER-ah-pee):

Treatment with anticancer drugs.

Clinical trials:

Studies in which new cancer treatments are tested in cancer patients. Each study is designed to answer scientific questions and to find better ways to treat patients.

Craniopharyngioma (KRAY-nee-o-fah-rin jee-Oma):

A type of brain tumor. Craniopharyngiomas develop in the region of the pituitary gland near the hypothalamus. They are usually benign; however, they are sometimes considered malignant because they can press on or damage the hypothalamus and affect vital functions. These tumors occur most often in children and adolescents.

Craniotomy (kray-nee-OT-o-mee):

An operation in which an opening is made in the skull so the doctor can reach the brain.

CT (or CAT) scan:

An x-ray procedure using a computer to produce detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

CyberKnife:

Radiosurgery is a frameless technique to accurately deliver multiple directed beams of ionizing radiation to concentrate on a defined target in the brain or spine. (See also University of Pittsburgh CyberKnife.)

Cyst:

A closed sac or capsule, usually filled with fluid or semisolid material.

Edema (eh-DEE-ma):

Swelling; an abnormal buildup of fluid usually around a tumor. Can cause pressure on the surrounding structures of the brain and is temporarily responsive to the administration of corticosteroids (dexamethasone).

Encapsulated (en-KAP-soo-lay-ted):

Confined to a specific area; the tumor remains in a compact form.

Ependymoma (eh-PEN-di-MO-ma):

A type of brain tumor. Ependymomas usually develop in the lining of the ventricles. They may also occur in the spinal cord. Although these tumors can develop at any age, they are most common in childhood and adolescence.

Gamma Knife:

Radiosurgery in which high energy rays are aimed at a tumor from many angles in a single-treatment session. (See also University of Pittsburgh Gamma Knife.)

Germ cell tumors:

A type of brain tumor. Germ cell tumors arise from primitive (developing) sex cells, or germ cells. The most frequent type of germ cell tumor in the brain is the germinoma.

Germinoma (jer-mih-NO-ma):

A type of germ cell tumor.

Glioblastoma multiforme (glee-o-blas-TO-ma multih-FOR-may):

A grade IV astrocytoma brain tumor (GBM) characterized by rapid growth and invasiveness.

Glioma (glee-O-ma):

A name for brain tumors that begin in the glial cells, or supportive cells, in the brain. "Glia" is the Greek word for glue.

Hydrocephalus (hy-dro-SEF-uh-lus):

The abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain.

Hyperthermia (hy-per-THER-mee-a):

Treatment that involves heating a tumor.

Hypothalamus (hy-po-THAL-uh-mus):

The area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst.

IntrathecaI chemotherapy (in-tra-THEE-ka1):

Injection of anticancer drugs into cerebral fluid.

Malignant (mah-LIG-nant):

Cancerous; life threatening. A malignant brain tumor seriously threatens vital functions.

Medulloblastoma (MED-yoo-lo-blas-TO-ma):

A type of brain tumor. Medulloblastomas were once thought to develop from glial cells. However, recent research suggests that these tumors develop from primitive (developing) nerve cells that normally do not remain in the body after birth. For this reason, medulloblastomas are sometimes called primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET). Most medulloblastomas arise in the cerebellum; however, they may occur in other areas as well. These tumors occur most often in children and are more common in boys than in girls.

Membrane:

A very thin layer of tissue that covers a surface.

Meninges (meh-NIN-jeez):

The three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Meningioma (meh-ninjee-O-ma):

A type of brain tumor. Meningiomas grow from the meninges. They are usually benign. Because these tumors grow very slowly, the brain may be able to adjust to their presence; meningiomas often grow quite large before they cause symptoms. They occur most often in women between 30 and 50 years of age.

Metastasis (meh-TAS-ta-sis):

The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. Cells in the metastatic (secondary) tumor are like those in the original (primary) tumor.

MRI:

A test using a magnet linked to a computer to create pictures of areas inside the body. Also called magnetic resonance imaging.

Myelin (MY-eh-lin):

The fatty substance that covers and protects nerves. This insulation is produced by a Schwann cell.

Myelogram (MY-eh-lo-gram):

An x-ray of the spinal cord and the bones of the spine.

Neurologist (new-ROL-o-jist):

A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system.

Neuroma (new-RO-ma):

A tumor that arises in nerve cells.

Neurosurgeon (NEW-ro-SER-jun):

A doctor who specializes in surgery on the brain and other parts of the nervous system.

Nitrosoureas (ny-TRO-so-yur-EE-ahz):

A group of anticancer drugs that can cross the blood-brain barrier. Carmustine (BCNU) and lomustine (CCNU) are nitrosoureas.

Oligodendroglioma (OL-i-go-den-dro-glee-O-ma):

A type of brain tumor. Oligodendrogliomas arise in the cells that produce myelin, the fatty covering that protects nerves. These tumors usually arise in the cerebrum. They grow slowly and usually do not spread into surrounding brain tissue. Oligodendrogliomas are rare. They occur most often in middle-aged adults but have been found in people of all ages.

Oncologist (on-KOL-o-jist):

A doctor who specializes in treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment. For example, a radiation oncologist treats cancer with radiation therapy.

Ophthalmoscope (off-THAL-mo-skope):

A lighted instrument used to examine the inside of the eye, including the retina and the optic nerve.

Optic nerve:

The nerve that carries messages from thc retina to the brain.

Papilledema (pap-il-eh-DEE-ma):

Swelling around the optic nerve, usually due to pressure on the nerve by a tumor.

Pathologist (path-OL-o-jist):

A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.

Pineal gland (PIN-ee-al):

A small gland located in the cerebrum.

Pineal region tumors:

Types of brain tumors. Pineal region tumors occur in or around the pineal gland, a tiny organ near the center of the brain. The pineal region is very difficult to reach, and these tumors often cannot be removed.

Pineoblastoma (PIN-ee-o-blas-TO-ma):

A type of fast-growing pineal region tumor.

Pineocytoma (PIN-ee-o-sy-TO-ma):

A type of slow-growing pineal region tumor.

Pituitary gland (pi-TOO-i-tare-ee):

The main endocrine gland; it produces hormones that control other glands and many body functions, especially growth.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (NEW-ro-ek-toDER-mul):

A type of brain tumor. See medullablastoma.

Radiation therapy (ray-dee-AY-shun):

Treatment with high-energy rays (such as x-rays) to kill cancer cells. The radiation may come from outside the body (external radiation) or from radioactive materials placed directly in the tumor (implant radiation).

Radiosensitizers:

Drugs that make cells more sensitive to radiation.

Remission:

Disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer. When this happens, the disease is said to be in remission. A remission can be temporary or permanent.

Schwannoma (shwah-NO-ma):

A type of brain tumor. Schwannomas are benign tumors that begin in Schwann cells, which produce the myelin that protects the acoustic nerve-the nerve of hearing. Acoustic neuromas are a type of schwannoma. They occur mainly in adults. These tumors affect women twice as often as men.

Seizures (SEE-zhurz):

Convulsions; sudden, involuntary movements of the muscles.

Shunt:

A catheter (tube) that carries cerebrospinal fluid from a ventricle in the brain to another area of the body.

Stereotaxis (stair-ee-o-TAK-sis):

Use of a computer and scanning devices to create three-dimensional pictures. This method can be used to direct a biopsy, external radiation, or the insertion of radiation implants.

Steroids (STEH-roidz):

Drugs used to relieve swelling and inflammation.

Thrombophlebitis (throm-boe-fleh-BY-tis):

Inflammation of a vein that occurs when a blood clot forms.

Tissue:

A group or layer of similar cells that perform a special function.

Tumor:

An abnormal mass of tissue.

Ventricles (VEN-trih-kulz):

Four connected cavities (hollow spaces) in the brain.