1. Brain Tumor Risk Factors
Few known risk factors
Exposure to vinyl chloride (increased risk of glioma)
Epstein-Barr virus infection
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
Organ transplant (may increase the risk of primary CNS lymphoma)
Genetic syndromes:
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) or 2 (NF2)
von Hippel-Lindau disease
Tuberous sclerosis
Li-Fraumeni syndrome
Turcot syndrome type 1 or 2
Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome
“The cause of most adult brain and spinal cord tumors is unknown.”
-- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Univ. of Utah

2. Brain Tumor Nursing Assessments
For intracranial tumor:
Focal neurological disorders
Frontal lobe (personality disorders, motor system dysfunction)
Occipital lobe (visual disturbances, headache)
Temporal lobe (auditory hallucinations, psychomotor seizures, aphasia)
Parietal lobe (inability to distinguish left-right)
Increased ICT
Lethargy, decreased HR, decreased level of consciousness, projectile vomiting
Mental
Personality changes, depression, decreased memory
Pituitary dysfunction
Cushing’s syndrome, acromegaly, giantism, hypopituitarism
Pain
Persistent headache
Seizure activity
Fluid status
Nausea and vomiting, decreased urine output, dry mucous membranes, decreased skin turgor
Psychosocial
Anger, fear, mourning, hostility

3. Brain Tumor References
Huntsman Cancer Institute, Univ. of Utah
Nanda Nursing website