Numerous cerebrum tumors, pituitary tumors, acoustic neuromas, meningioma, and different kinds of tumors influence the skull base. These are known as skull base tumors. The skull base tumors become fundamentally inside the skull however periodically can become outside excessively . They can be essential or auxiliary relying on their place of inception.
Causes and risk factors for skull base tumors:
Although there is no exact cause of skull base tumor but there are certain risk factors that increase the chance of developing a skull base tumor like:
- Previous radiation therapy to the head
- Exposure to chemicals like vinyl chloride, arsenic and herbicides
- Certain genetic conditions
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
Types of Skull Base Tumors and Conditions
Skull base tumors can be classified according to their location in the skull base or according to the type of tumor.
According to location of skull base tumors:
Tumor in the anterior compartment of the skull base (anterior cranial fossa), that includes the eye sockets and sinuses:
- Meningioma
- Olfactory neuroblastoma
- Paranasal sinus cancer
Tumor in the central compartment of the skull base (middle cranial fossa), that includes the pituitary gland:
- Pituitary adenomas
- Craniopharyngioma
- Rathke’s cleft cyst
Tumor in the posterior compartment of the skull base :
- Acoustic neuroma
- Chondrosarcoma
- Chordoma
- Epidermoid tumor
- Meningioma
Signs and Symptoms of Skull Base Brain Tumors
The indications of skull base tumors show up gradually and seem just when the tumor develops huge and cause weight on crucial structures in the cerebrum. Indications particularly rely upon the sort, area and size of the tumor. Most basic side effects of skull base tumors and conditions include:
- Headaches
- Pain or numbness or weakness in the face
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Recurrent sinus problems
- Altered sense of smell
- Blurred or double or loss of vision
- Trouble swallowing and frequent choking
- Hearing loss
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Loss of balance
- Nausea and vomiting
- Memory loss
