Q. for Dr. Z: Is an acoustic neuroma considered a type of "brain tumor"? (Based on what I have read on the subject, ISTM the answer is "No," but then IANAMD, nor do I play one on TV . . . )
It is not a tumor of the brain but rather a tumor arising from cells (schwann cells) that cover nerves leaving the brain. Most but not all are benign. Generically we lump all of these together and central nervous system tumors but they do not arise from the cells that typically cause tumors in the brain itself. "Brain tumor most often arise from support cells in the brain (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymocytes) and lest commonly from neurons (Ganglioglioma, Central Neurocytoma, Primitive neuroectodermal tumors). Nerves cells rarely divide after developement and therefore are not subject to harmful mutations. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
