Choroid plexus tumors are abnormal cell growths in the brain tissue responsible for producing cerebral spinal fluid. They can be benign or malignant and cause hydrocephalus. Surgical removal is successful for benign tumors, while chemotherapy and radiation are used for malignant ones.
The choroid plexus is a tissue in the brain and is responsible for the production of cerebral spinal fluid. This fluid travels through the four ventricles to be absorbed into central nervous system tissue. A choroid plexus tumor is a type of brain tumor that occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the tissue of the choroid plexus. These tumors can be benign or malignant depending on the type. Choroid plexus papilloma and choroid plexus carcinoma are the two main types of choroid plexus cancers.
A choroid plexus papilloma is one of the first major classifications of a choroid plexus tumor. This type of tumor is benign. They grow much more slowly than cancerous tumors and commonly affect children younger than two years of age. The tumor grows into the ventricle and eventually blocks the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. While the reduced fluid affects the central nervous system, the blockage can also cause dangerous intracranial pressure, called hydrocephalus.
Choroid plexus carcinoma is the term used to classify a malignant choroid plexus tumor. These cancerous tumors grow and spread rapidly. The tumor grows into the surrounding tissue, and the cancerous cells can travel through the cerebrospinal fluid to other areas of the body where they can create new growths outside the brain. Hydrocephalus can often occur with these tumors, particularly if spinal fluid flow is impeded. Choroid plexus cancer usually affects younger children, but it can occur at any age.
If left untreated, a choroid plexus tumor can be fatal. In most cases, however, this tumor can be removed successfully. Choroid plexus papilloma does not spread from its original location, but as choroid plexus carcinoma spreads, a doctor must look for possible secondary cancers as well.
Surgical removal of a choroid plexus tumor that is benign is more successful and offers patients a high survival rate. For malignant tumors, especially with the presence of secondary tumors, surgical removal alone will not work. Tumors can grow back. In these cases, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, sometimes both, is used to kill the abnormal cells and prevent new growth. If patients have hydrocephalus due to a tumor, a shunt may be used to allow cerebrospinal fluid to flow properly while the patient undergoes treatment and/or surgical removal.
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