Definition:
Hemangioblastoma is a disease of the central nervous system characterized by benign brain tumors, usually occurring in the cerebellum. The tumors represent cysts, and contain small solid nodules inside. The small nodules contain abnormal blood vessels in a tangle.
Hemangioblastomas are most commonly occurring in those ranging from 35 to 45 years old.
Diagnosis:
Doctors will probe into a patient's medical history as well as physical examination for the first step in the diagnosis. This is followed by a brain scan through a CT or MRI scan. An angiogram, or x-ray of blood vessels, will also be conducted.
Treatment:
Treatment for hemangioblastomas depends largely on the size of the cyst, as well as an understanding of the risks the patient is willing to undertake. Surgery is the treatment of choice for a hemangioblastoma. In cases with severe hydrocephalus, shunt procedures are required. Radiation therapy might be also be needed.
Symptoms and Signs:
Common symptoms of hemangioblastoma include pressure inside the skull which leads to hydrocephalus, nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, balance problems, and difficulty walking.
Benign or malignant tumors may also lead to brain angiomas, or cysts around them.
Causes:
Hemangioblastomas usually occur sporadically, or alongside von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL), which is autosomal-recessive in nature.
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