Central neurocytoma

What it is

From: Orphanet

Central neurocytoma is a very rare brain tumor of young adults (over 100 cases reported worldwide). It is typically found in the lateral ventricles and occasionally in the third ventricle. Symptoms are those of increased intracranial pressure: headache, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, vision problems and mental changes. Total removal of the tumor is the therapy of choice. Post-operative prognosis is generally good.

Reported clinical features and what the terms mean

The following findings are associated with this condition in Orphanet. They are not a checklist for diagnosing yourself, and they do not all occur in every affected person. Some are examination, imaging or laboratory findings that cannot be recognised at home.

The frequency labels describe how often a finding was reported among people with the condition in the source. They do not give the chance that a person with that symptom has the condition. Definitions below reproduce HPO terminology; they explain the term, not the likely severity in an individual.

Abnormal cellular phenotype · Very frequent (99-80%)

An anomaly of cellular morphology or physiology.

Abnormality of lateral ventricle · Very frequent (99-80%)

A morphological anomaly of the lateral ventricle.

Hydrocephalus · Obligate (100%)

Hydrocephalus is an active distension of the ventricular system of the brain resulting from inadequate passage of CSF from its point of production within the cerebral ventricles to its point of absorption into the systemic circulation.

Intracranial cystic lesion · Very frequent (99-80%)

A cystic lesion originating within the brain.

Abnormality of vision · Frequent (79-30%)

Abnormality of eyesight (visual perception).

Ataxia · Frequent (79-30%)

Ataxia refers to impaired coordination of voluntary muscle movement. Cerebellar ataxia refers to ataxia due to dysfunction of the cerebellum. This causes a variety of elementary neurological deficits including asynergy (lack of coordination between muscles, limbs and joints), dysmetria (lack of ability to judge distances that can lead to under- or overshoot in grasping movements), and dysdiadochokinesia (inability to perform rapid movements requiring antagonizing muscle groups to be switched on and off repeatedly).

Cerebral calcification · Frequent (79-30%)

The presence of calcium deposition within the cerebrum.

Decreased corneal reflex · Frequent (79-30%)

An abnormally reduced response to stimulation of the cornea (by touch, foreign body, blowing air). The corneal reflex (also known as the blink reflex, normally results in an involuntary blinking of the eyelids.

Depression · Frequent (79-30%)

Frequently experiencing feelings of being down, miserable, and/or hopeless; struggling to recover from these moods; having a pessimistic outlook on the future; feeling a pervasive sense of shame; having a low self-worth; experiencing thoughts of suicide and engaging in suicidal behavior.

Headache · Frequent (79-30%)

Cephalgia, or pain sensed in various parts of the head, not confined to the area of distribution of any nerve.

Increased intracranial pressure · Frequent (79-30%)

An increase of the pressure inside the cranium (skull) and thereby in the brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid.

Nausea and vomiting · Frequent (79-30%)

Nausea is a commonly encountered symptom that has been defined as an unpleasant painless subjective feeling that one will imminently vomit. Vomiting has been defined as the forceful expulsion of the contents of the stomach, duodenum, or jejunum through the oral cavity. While nausea and vomiting are often thought to exist on a temporal continuum, this is not always the case. There are situations when severe nausea may be present without emesis and less frequently, when emesis may be present without preceding nausea.

Babinski sign · Occasional (29-5%)

Upturning of the big toe (and sometimes fanning of the other toes) in response to stimulation of the sole of the foot. If the Babinski sign is present it can indicate damage to the corticospinal tract.

Coma · Occasional (29-5%)

The complete absence of wakefulness and consciousness, which is evident through a lack of response to any form of external stimuli.

Other findings in the same source

From: Orphanet

Additional reported features include Lethargy (Occasional (29-5%)); Pain insensitivity (Occasional (29-5%)); Paresthesia (Occasional (29-5%)); Postural instability (Occasional (29-5%)); Tinnitus (Occasional (29-5%)). This is a selected summary, not a complete description of the condition.

When it may begin

From: Orphanet

Adolescent; Adult; Childhood

Inheritance in the source

From: Orphanet

Not applicable

Frequency and the population described

From: Orphanet

Reported case(s): 500.0; Worldwide. This is a published case count, not prevalence. Point prevalence: Unknown; Worldwide; Class only.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Central neurocytoma is Ophthalmology, with a ophthalmologist as the relevant type of clinician. Ophthalmologist; paediatric services for children as appropriate.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• Which part of the eye or visual pathway is affected?
• What change in vision requires immediate contact with the eye service?
• What are the aims and alternatives of any proposed eye treatment?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

Where the source describes treatments, these are an overview of possible care, not a prescription for an individual. Ask which option applies to the confirmed diagnosis, what benefit is expected, what adverse effects to watch for and how progress will be assessed. Availability, approvals and local practice can differ from the country described in the source.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

The collected references do not establish a complete prevention or long-term outlook section for this entry. Missing information should not be interpreted as proof that prevention is impossible or that a particular outcome is inevitable. Ask what is known for the exact subtype, stage and personal circumstances, and which uncertainties remain.

When to seek emergency help

Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.