Hi Dr. Landolfi;
Here is the next question from the group. First though, I want to pass on the sincere "thanks" expressed by many of the group members for your assistance.
What is the difference between encapsulated and un -encapsulated tumors?
Thank you (as always)
Bruce
The doctor's response...
There are few true capsules. Ependymomas that grow rapid can appear to be round and be well demarcated like they have a capsule. It means the surgeon can find a plane between normal brain and the tumor. The same is true for other tumors like gliomas. Mostly they are infitrative. Tumors like meningiomas can be encapsulated depite the fact that they are slow growing. They are outside the brain and put pressure on the brain. When they are malignant they can infiltrate the brain and thus no clear plane. Pilocytic astrocytomas can have a cystic component and are encapusulated with a very clear plane.
Dr. Landolfi