[Brain tumors in the elderly].

The incidence of brain tumors in the elderly has been questioned, but recently several studies have tended to confirm its increase. This may be partially due to the improvement of diagnostic methods and progress in the collection of epidemiological data. However, should this increase be confirmed by further studies, the possible role of specific risk factors in the elderly should not be neglected. Metastases are three times more frequent than primary brain tumors. Depending on the state of the primitive cancer, local control of brain localization may be achieved by surgery or, more recently, by radio surgery. Among primary brain tumors, gliomas have the worst prognosis with a survival not exceeding 6-8 months, regardless of the type of treatment used. However, half of the primary tumors are benign, meningioma representing the most frequent variety. In function of their clinical impact and their localization, surgery may be proposed, if the physical condition of the patient so allows. Conformational radiotherapy is indicated if a remnant of the tumor is detected as growing post-operatively. Pituitary adenomas should be treated surgically if they are responsible for compression of the visual pathways; in case of a secreting tumor (mainly prolactinomas) a medical treatment can be proposed.