How pathology of the brain tumor important in determining the clinical presentation?
The pathology of brain tumor has limited bearing on the clinical presentation. Location is the most important factor and dictates clinical presentation. Supratentorial tumors can be associated with focal motor and sensory deficits, speech and language difficulties, memory difficulty, and personality changes. Infratentorial tumors are associated with noncommunicating hydrocephalus, cranial nerve palsies from brain stem compression, and hemiparesis. Noncommunicating hydrocephalus is due to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow obstruction, and it produces symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, papilledema, vision abnormalities, and “sunsetting” of eyes.