Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Practice Exam

What type of tumor originates from the covering of the brain?

1. Astrocytoma

2. Meningioma

3. Medulloblastoma

4. Neuroblastoma

The correct answer is: Meningioma

Meningioma is the type of tumor that originates from the meninges, which are the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. These tumors arise from the arachnoid layer of the meninges and are typically located on the surface of the brain. They can vary in their aggressiveness and can be benign or malignant. Astrocytoma originates from astrocytes, which are star-shaped glial cells in the brain, and is not directly related to the meninges. Medulloblastoma arises from primitive neuroectodermal cells in the cerebellum and is more common in children, while neuroblastoma is a cancer that arises from neuroblasts, typically found in young children and primarily affects the adrenal glands or sympathetic nervous system, not the brain covering. Understanding the specific origin of these tumors is crucial for diagnosis and treatment, highlighting why meningioma is the correct choice in this context.