This rare, grade I, benign brain tumor typically occurs in a lateral ventricle in the region of the foramen of Monro, and occasionally extends into the third ventricle as well. It is supplied by many blood vessels. The central neurocytoma shows mature cells, similar to normal neurons of the gray matter, although their cell of origin is unknown. It is most common in young adult males.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of these brain tumors are those associated with increased intracranial pressure: headache, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, vision problems and mental changes.
TREATMENT
Standard treatment of these brain tumors is surgery, which is often successful. Excessive bleeding can limit the extent of tumor removal however. The routine use of radiation therapy as an adjuvant therapy is still under discussion.