PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What is the #1 most common intracranial tumor in adults?

1. Meningioma

2. Astrocytoma

3. Hematoma

4. Glioblastoma

The correct answer is: Glioblastoma

The most common intracranial tumor in adults is a meningioma. Meningiomas arise from the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, and account for approximately 36% of all primary brain tumors. They tend to be slow-growing and are typically benign, although some can exhibit malignant behavior. While glioblastoma is considered one of the most aggressive types of primary brain tumors, it is actually a subtype of astrocytomas and not the most common type overall. Astrocytomas in general are classified into different grades, with glioblastomas being classified as a grade IV tumor due to their high degree of aggressiveness and poor prognosis. However, in the context of prevalence, glioblastomas account for about 15% of all primary brain tumors. When considering the statistics for intracranial tumors, meningiomas emerge as the predominant type found in adults. Thus, understanding the prevalence and types of intracranial tumors is critical for both clinical and educational purposes in the medical field.