Description

Glioma is a growth of cells that begins in the brain or the spinal cord. The glioma cells look like healthy cells of the brain called glial cells. Glial cells surround nerve cells and help them function.

As a tumour grows, it forms a mass of cells called a tumor. The tumor can grow to the press in the brain or spinal cord tissue and cause symptoms. The symptoms depend on what part of the brain or of the spinal cord is affected.

There are many types of glioma. Some grow slowly and are not considered cancers. Others are considered carcinogenic. Another word for cancerous is malignant. Malignant gliomas grow rapidly and can invade healthy brain tissue. Some types of glioma usually occurs in adults. Others occur primarily in children.

The type of glioma that you have the help of your health care team to understand the seriousness of their disease and the treatments that might work better. In general, the glioma treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and others.

Symptoms

Glioma symptoms depend on the location of the glioma. The symptoms may also depend on the type of glioma, its size and how quickly it is growing.

Common signs and symptoms of gliomas are:

  • Headache, especially one that hurts the most in the morning.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Confusion or a decrease in brain function, such as problems with thinking and understanding of the information.
  • The loss of memory.
  • Changes in personality or irritability.
  • Vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision.
  • Difficulties in speaking.
  • Seizures, especially in someone who has not had a seizure before.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have any of the signs and symptoms that worry you.

Causes

The doctors are not sure what causes glioma. It starts when cells in the brain or in the spinal cord develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do.

Changes in DNA tell the cell to make the cell more quickly. The cells continue living when healthy cells would die. This makes too many cells that did not work well. The cells form a mass called a tumor.

The tumor can grow to the press on nearby nerves and parts of the brain or of the spinal cord. This leads to glioma symptoms and can cause complications.

Some gliomas develop more changes in their DNA that cause them to become brain cancers. The changes that tell the cells to invade and destroy healthy brain tissue.

In glioma, the tumor cells look like healthy cells of the brain called glial cells. The glial cells surround and support nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Risk factors

Things that may increase the risk of glioma include:

  • Aging. Gliomas are most common in adults between the ages of 45 and 65 years of age. But glioma can occur at any age. Certain types of gliomas are more common in children and young adults.
  • Being exposed to radiation. The people who have been exposed to a type of radiation called ionizing radiation have an increased risk of glioma. An example of the ionizing radiation is radiation therapy to treat cancer.
  • Having a family history of glioma. Glioma can be run in families, but this is very rare. More research is needed to understand if the parents can spend a risk of glioma to their children.

Researchers have not found anything that you can do to prevent glioma.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose glioma include:

  • A test to test your nerves and brain function. A neurological examination involves checking your vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength, and reflexes. If there are difficulties with a particular task, that could be a clue that it could be a tumor in the brain.
  • Evidence for the images of the brain.Imaging tests create pictures of your brain to look for signs of a tumor in the brain.MRIis the test image used. Sometimes you have an injection of a dye into a vein before yourMRI. This helps to create better photographs. Other imaging tests may includeCTand positron emission tomography, also called aPETscan.
  • A procedure to obtain a sample of tissue for analysis.Sometimes, a procedure called a biopsy is needed to remove a piece of fabric for testing before starting the treatment. It is used when surgery is not an option to remove the brain tumor. If you are going to have a surgery to remove the tumor in the brain, it is possible that you may not need a biopsy before surgery. To obtain the tissue sample, a needle can be used. The needle is guided by imaging tests. This procedure is called stereotactic needle biopsy. During the procedure, a small hole is made in the skull. A thin needle is inserted through the hole. Tissue is removed with the needle and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
  • The tests in the tumor cells.A sample of the brain tumor can be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The sample may come from a biopsy procedure. Or the sample may be taken during surgery to remove the tumour. The sample is sent to a laboratory where it is tested by the doctors who specialize in the analysis of the blood and the tissue of the body. These doctors are called pathologists. The tests in the laboratory can determine if you have a glioma, and of what type. Other tests to show how quickly the glioma cells are growing. Advanced testing out the changes in the DNA are present in the glioma cells. The results of the test help your health care team to confirm the diagnosis and establish a treatment plan.

Evidence for the images of the brain. Imaging tests create pictures of your brain to look for signs of a tumor in the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging is the imaging test used the most. Sometimes you have an injection of a dye into a vein before your mri . This helps to create better photographs.

Other imaging tests may include CT and positron emission tomography, also called a PET scan.

A procedure to obtain a sample of tissue for analysis. Sometimes, a procedure called a biopsy is needed to remove a piece of fabric for testing before starting the treatment. It is used when surgery is not an option to remove the brain tumor. If you are going to have a surgery to remove the tumor in the brain, it is possible that you may not need a biopsy before surgery.

To obtain the tissue sample, a needle can be used. The needle is guided by imaging tests. This procedure is called stereotactic needle biopsy. During the procedure, a small hole is made in the skull. A thin needle is inserted through the hole. Tissue is removed with the needle and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

The tests in the tumor cells. A sample of the brain tumor can be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The sample may come from a biopsy procedure. Or the sample may be taken during surgery to remove the tumour.

The sample is sent to a laboratory where it is tested by the doctors who specialize in the analysis of the blood and the tissue of the body. These doctors are called pathologists.

The tests in the laboratory can determine if you have a glioma, and of what type. Other tests to show how quickly the glioma cells are growing. Advanced testing out the changes in the DNA are present in the glioma cells. The results of the test help your health care team to confirm the diagnosis and establish a treatment plan.

Treatment

Glioma treatment usually begins with surgery. But surgery is not always an option. For example, if the glioma grows in important parts of the brain, it might be too risky to remove all of the glioma. Other treatments, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, can be recommended as a first-line treatment.

What treatments are best for you will depend on your particular situation. Your health care team considers the type of glioma, its size, and in which is located in the brain. Your treatment plan will also depend on your health and your preferences.

Treatments to control the symptoms

If your glioma is causing symptoms, you may need a medication to make it more comfortable. What are the medicines that you need depends on your situation. The options may include:

  • Medications to control seizures.
  • Steroid medicine to reduce swelling in the brain.
  • The medicine that improves the state of alert if you have severe fatigue.
  • Medicine to help with thinking and memory problems.

Surgery

Glioma, treatment usually starts with an operation to remove the tumour. Surgery may be the only treatment needed if all of the glioma is removed.

Sometimes the tumour can't be completely eliminated. The surgeon may remove as much of the tumour as possible. This procedure is sometimes called a subtotal resection. This might be necessary if the tumour can't be easily separated from the healthy brain tissue. This can also happen if the glioma is a sensitive part of the brain. Even removing a portion of the tumor may help reduce your symptoms.

Surgery to remove a glioma risk. These include infection and hemorrhage. Other risks may depend on the part of your brain where your tumor is located. For example, the surgery of a tumor close to the nerves that connect the eyes, which can lead to a risk of loss of vision.

Radiation therapy

The radiation rays are used powerful energy to kill the tumor cells. The energy can come from X-rays, protons or other sources.

For glioma treatment, radiation therapy is often used after surgery. The radiation kills any glioma cells that may remain after surgery. Radiation is often combined with chemotherapy.

The radiation therapy may be the first treatment of glioma if surgery is not an option.

During radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine aims beams of energy to specific points in your head. The beams are carefully programmed to deliver precise amounts of radiation to the glioma. A common program for the radiation therapy is to have treatments five days a week for a couple of weeks.

Side effects of radiation therapy depend on the type and the dose of radiation you receive. The common side effects that occur during or soon after radiation therapy include fatigue, scalp irritation and hair loss.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy tumor cells. Chemotherapy drugs are most often taken in pill form or injected into a vein. In certain situations, chemotherapy can be directly applied to glioma cells.

Chemotherapy is usually used in combination with radiation therapy for the treatment of gliomas.

Side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type and dose of medication you receive. Common side effects include nausea and vomiting, hair loss, fever, and tiredness. Some side effects can be managed with medication.

Tumor treating fields therapy

Tumor treating fields therapy is a treatment that uses electrical energy to hurt the glioma cells. The treatment makes it difficult for the cells to make new cells of glioma.

Tumor treating fields therapy is used to treat an aggressive type of tumour called glioblastoma. This treatment is often done at the same time as chemotherapy.

During this treatment, adhesive pads are attached to the scalp. You might need to shave your head so that the pads can stick to. Connect the wires of the pickups to a portable device. The device generates an electric field that harms the cells of glioma.

Side effects of tumor treating fields therapy include irritation of the skin where the pads are applied to the scalp.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy treatments focus your attention on the presence of chemicals within the cells of cancer. By blocking these chemicals, the targeted therapy treatments can cause cancer cells to die.

Their glioma cells can be tested to see if the targeted therapy can help. Slow-growing gliomas, the targeted therapy is sometimes used after surgery if the tumour can't be completely eliminated. For other gliomas, targeted therapy may be an option if other treatments have not worked.

The side effects depend on the drug used and the dose administered.

Rehabilitation after treatment

Glioma and glioma treatment can damage the parts of the brain that help to move the body and the control of their thoughts. After treatment, you may need help to recover their ability to move, speak, see and think with clarity. Treatments that may help include:

  • Physical therapy, which can help you recover the loss of motor skills or muscle strength.
  • Occupational therapy, which can help you return to daily activities, including work, after a brain tumor or other disease.
  • Speech therapy, which can help if you have difficulty speaking.
  • Tutoring for school-age children, which can help children to cope with the changes in memory and thinking after a tumor in the brain.

Alternative medicine

Little research has been done on complementary and alternative for glioma treatment. There are No alternative treatments have been shown to cure gliomas. However, complementary treatments can help you to deal with your glioma and its treatment. Complementary treatments are also called integrative treatments. Can be used at the same time that traditional treatments, such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Ask your health care team if you are interested in trying complementary treatments such as:

  • Acupuncture.
  • Hypnosis.
  • Meditation.
  • Music therapy.
  • The relaxation exercises.

Coping and support

A glioma diagnosis can be overwhelming and frightening. It can make you feel like you have little control over your health. But you can take measures to cope with the shock and the pain that can come after your diagnosis. Consider trying to:

  • Learn enough about the brain to make decisions about your care. Ask your health care team about your specific type of brain tumor, including your treatment options and, if you like, your prognosis. As you learn more about brain tumors, you can be more confident in making treatment choices.
  • Keep friends and family close. Keep your close relationships strong will help you deal with his brain tumor. Friends and family can provide the practical support you need, such as help to take care of your house if you're in the hospital. And that you can serve as emotional support when you feel overwhelmed by the cancer.
  • Find someone to talk to. Find a good listener who is willing to listen to you talk about your hopes and fears. This can be a friend or family member. The concern and understanding of a counselor, medical social worker, clergy member or cancer support group may also be useful. Ask your health care team about support groups in your area. Or to connect with other people online through groups such as the National Brain Tumor Society and others.

Preparing for your appointment

Consult your health care provider if you have any of the signs or symptoms that worry you. If you are diagnosed with a glioma, you may be referred to specialists, such as:

  • Doctors who specialize in disorders of the brain, which are called neurologists.
  • The doctors who treat cancer with medicine, that are called medical oncologists.
  • The medical uses of radiation to treat the cancer, which are called radiation oncologists.
  • Doctors who specialize in the nervous system cancers, which are called neuro-oncologists.
  • The surgeons operating on the brain and the nervous system, which are called neurosurgeons.
  • Rehabilitation specialists.

Tumor in the brain, the treatment can be complex. Some hospitals are used to take care of a lot of people with brain tumors. If you are not comfortable with the attention on your local installation, consider seeking a second opinion from a more experienced of the cancer center. Ask your health care provider for a reference.

It is a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Consider the possibility of a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot. This person can be your advocate and help you understand the information you receive from your health care team.
  • Write questions to ask their health care provider. A written list of questions and concerns, it is useful when you are feeling overwhelmed. There is a lot of information to process and consider when you are dealing with a serious illness. It's easy to forget the questions that he wanted to do.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of their time together. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. By a tumor in the brain, such as glioma, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What type of brain tumor that I have?
  • Where is my brain tumor located?
  • How big is my glioma?
  • How aggressive is my brain tumor?
  • It is my glioma cancer?
  • Will I need additional tests?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • Can any of the treatments cure my glioma?
  • What are the benefits and risks of each treatment?
  • There is a treatment that you feel is best for me?
  • There is a clinical trial available to treat my type of glioma? Is it right for me?
  • How will treatment affect my daily activities, such as walking, talking and talking?
  • You should see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?
  • How often should I have checkups?

Note: the three questions that are most important to you so you can be sure to get those answered if time is limited. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask, please do not hesitate to ask other questions that occur to you.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask a series of questions. Be ready to answer them may allow time later to cover other points you want to address. Your provider may ask:

  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Glioma