Cental nervous system neoplasia

Abstract

Seizures can be the first sign noticed by owners of animals with intracranial neoplasia. This article looks at the key features that should prompt consideration of neoplasia as a differential diagnosis. Signalment plays an important role in this, with age and breed both key predictors of particular types of tumour; clinical findings should also arouse the suspicion of structural brain disease. We discuss the tools that are needed to reach a diagnosis and highlight some of the pitfalls that should be considered, particularly in those with raised intracranial pressure. Although the prognosis is necessarily guarded in affected animals, carefully selected patients can respond remarkably well to treatment.