Development of intracranial tumors in patients with long-standing preexisting epilepsy

• Published in: Journal of epilepsy Vol. 8; no. 4; pp. 289 - 294
• Main Authors: Bartolomei, Fabrice, Roger, Joseph, Genton, Pierre, Dravet, Charlotte, Bureau, Michèle, Gastaut, Jean-Louis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-12-1995
• Subjects: Brain tumor; Electroencephalography; Epilepsy; Seizures; Brain tumor; Electroencephalography; Epilepsy; Seizures
• ISSN: 0896-6974
• DOI: 10.1016/0896-6974(95)00033-X

We report 8 patients who had an intracranial tumor intercurrently with long-standing preexisting epilepsy. In 4 [3 idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE), 1 frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE)], the tumor was extracerebral or subcortical (2 craniopharyngiomas, 1 germinoma, 1 meningioma) and did not affect the course of epilepsy. In 4 [1 IGE, 2 FLE, 1 temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE)], the tumor was superficial and intracerebral (3 astrocytomas, 1 oligodendroglioma) and the first sign of tumor was a change in the intensity or symptoms of epilepsy. Diagnosis of the tumor was delayed in the second group. Clinical and biologic evidence suggest that epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs are not risk factors for brain tumors. However, clinicians should bear in mind that not all brain tumors cause epileptic seizures and that patients with various types of epilepsy can develop brain tumors. Aggravation or change in the symptomatology of epilepsy warrants thorough investigation to rule out the possibility of development of an intercurrent brain tumor.