The skull is composed of bones and cartilage that form the face and the cranium, which surrounds the brain. The skull base is a crowded and complicated area with openings that the spinal cord, many blood vessels, and nerves all pass through.
There are several different types of skull base tumors:
- Cysts that develop from birth
- Growths caused by infections
- Pituitary tumors. The pituitary gland sits behind the nose and eyes
- Meningiomas. These tumors are often benign and grow from the meninges, the tissue that covers the brain and lies between the brain and skull
- Chordomas. This is a slow-growing bone tumor most often found at the base of the skull
- Craniopharyngiomas, growths that occur near the pituitary gland
You may have many possible symptoms from a growth or abnormality in the skull base area. Symptoms will depend on the size, type, and location of the growth or abnormality, and may include:
- Facial pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Visual problems
- Numbness
- Weakness of the face
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
- Nasal congestion or frequent sinus infections
The Inova Brain Tumor Program offers cutting-edge, world-class treatment for brain and spinal cord tumors. Call 703-776-4700 for more information.