About Skull Base Tumors
The brain originates the most crucial functions of the body — everything from muscle movement to eating, breathing, feeling pain and emotion. Skull base tumors can affect nearly every one of these functions in the brain. These tumors are rare, and cancerous skull base tumors are even less common.
Skull base tumors can begin in the base of skull or can originate in another part of the body and spread to the base of the skull. Regardless of where they begin, the tumor grows close to crucial areas of the brain and can be life threatening.
Each specific kind of tumor causes different symptoms and requires different treatment, but due to the sensitive location of the skull base tumors deep within the brain, these growths are generally difficult to treat.
Types of Skull Base Tumors
Depending on the exact location of the tumor, doctors classify and treat the tumor differently. Skull base tumors include these kinds of tumors:
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Clival Chordomas
A type of chordoma (bone tumor) that grows on the clivus bone at the base of the skull.
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Craniopharyngiomas
A rare type of benign brain tumor that develops at the base of the brain and grows slowly.
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Meningiomas
Tumors on the outer covering of the brain.
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Pituitary Tumors
Tumors that are typically benign and don’t spread beyond the pituitary gland.
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Sinus or Nasal Tumors
Benign or cancerous tumors that occur in the nose or sinuses.
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Skull Bone Tumors
Tumors that grow on the bony structures on the inside of the skull.
Symptoms of Skull Base Tumors
- Acromegaly
- Blurry or double vision
- Bulging eyes
- Changes in mental status
- Cushing’s Disease
- Difficulty opening mouth
- Gigantism
- Headaches
- Hyperthyroidism
- Irregular problems with menstruation, sex drive or infertility
- Loss of hearing or smell
- Nausea or vomiting
- Nosebleeds
- Other types of skull base tumors
- Ear pain
- Pituitary tumors
- Headaches
- Pressure in the face or sinuses
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Seizures
- Sinonasal tumors
- Tearing
- Trouble breathing through nose
- Vision loss or problems
- Weakened bones
Risk Factors for Skull Base Tumors
Doctors and researchers do not know the causes of skull base tumors. They have determined that the majority of brain tumors are associated with abnormalities of the genes responsible for cell cycle control. These abnormalities lead to uncontrolled cell growth.
Researchers have found that patients with these certain genetic conditions have a higher risk of developing tumors in the central nervous system:
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Neurofibromatosis
- Retinoblastoma
- von Hippel-Lindau disease
Studies also suggest that prior radiation therapy to the head for another condition may be one of the causes of skull base tumors and brain tumors. Patients who are chemists or work in oil refineries and rubber manufacturing also have a higher incidence of certain brain tumors.
Tumor Experts Who Specialize in You
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, rest assured that the specialized care you need is close to home. Our experienced oncologists treat all types of skull base tumors and will design a treatment plan that considers your comfort, safety and whole-person health.
Find Us in Your Community
Across the nation, each of our locations offering cancer treatment contributes to the strength of the AdventHealth Cancer Institute network. Explore your options for care close to home with the guidance of our dedicated team. We’ll help you find the right fit, so you’re in the best setting to get the care you need.