Epidermoid Brain Tumor Community Is There For You

What Is an Epidermoid Brain Tumor?

An epidermoid brain tumor is a rare slow growing benign brain tumor that is noted as being only 0.2 - 1.8 % of all brain tumors diagnosed. It is an abnormal new growth of tissue that is formed by skin cells that are in the wrong place between the 3rd and 5th weeks of fetal development, when the neural tube forms. This tumor comprises of a capsule that consists of an outer covering (the capsule part of it) and an inner mixture of skin cells, and fatty acids. The capsule is about the thickness of wet tissue paper, and the inside contents are the consistency of cottage cheese.

http://neurosurgery.stanford.edu/patient_care/brain_tumor.html

These tumors are congenital (present at birth) and do not typically present until older age (20 - 40 years old on average).  This is due to the fact that Epidermoid brain tumors generally take a long time to grow to a size that causes symptoms. With expansion over time, the tumor creates pressure on vital brain structures at its location causing symptoms usually leading to a diagnosis. The epidermoid tumor can be acquired by trauma but rarely.

The Epidermoid brain tumor occurs most frequently in the lower cranial base which is at the base of the skull in the space between the brain stem and cerebellum (called the cerebellopontine angle or CP angle). They can occur above the pituitary gland or near the temporal lobe of the brain.

Who are we?

We are a community of patients, caregivers, loved ones and professionals offering medical information and support. We are survivors of epidermoid brain tumors ranging in ages from the child to the grandparent. Our community consists of the newly diagnosed, the experienced patient with many craniotomies and our wait and watchers.

What do we do?

We connect with others in similar circumstances by our support group interaction, and this is an important part of what we do. Our Resource page is helpful to those who want to gain more educational knowledge to make the choices that one has to make. The Treatment page has latest information about surgery options for the epidermoid. And, every day brings new research about world scientific breakthroughs on our News service. Through our Facebook, you gain friends and get to know individuals on a more personal basis.

We create awareness about the epidermoid.

We make a difference in the lives of epidermoid brain tumor patients and their loved ones.