What Is Glioma?

Glioma is cancer that affects the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas start in the gluey supporting cells (glial cells) that surround and help nerve cells operate. Glial cells can develop tumors in three different ways. Gliomas are categorized based on the type of glial cell that is involved in the tumor, as well as the tumor’s genetic traits, which can help predict how the tumor will behave over time and the most effective treatments.
Every year, 12,000 new instances of glioma are diagnosed. Even the most severe gliomas rarely spread to other regions of the body through the blood and lymphatic systems, and in this way, they differ from cancers in that they are usually restricted to the central nervous system. Depending on its location and rate of growth, a glioma can impair your brain function and be life-threatening.

Types of Glioma

There are three types of glioma; let’s take a look.

Astrocytes

Astrocytes, which are star-shaped glial cells, are responsible for the growth of several brain cancers. Astrocytomas are the tumors in question. Pilocytic astrocytomas are grade I astrocytomas. They have well-defined borders and a slow growth rate.
Diffuse astrocytomas and low-grade astrocytomas are all terms used to describe grade II astrocytomas. They have a moderate growth rate and no clearly defined bounds. They are common in adults between the ages of 20 and 50.

Anaplastic astrocytomas, also known as grade III astrocytomas, are a type of astrocytoma that develops in the brain. They make up 2% of all brain tumors and develop more quickly and aggressively than lower-grade tumors. They also develop into the tissue around them.
Glioblastomas, or GBMs, are grade IV astrocytomas. Gliomas of this sort are the most aggressive. This is the most prevalent type of adult high-grade brain tumor. GBMs make up 12–15 percent of all brain tumors and have a 5-year survival rate of about 4%.

Oligodendrogliomas

Oligodendrogliomas are brain tumors that arise from oligodendrocytes. Grade II oligodendrogliomas are low-grade, while Grade III or anaplastic oligodendrogliomas are high-grade.

Ependymomas

Ependymomas are brain tumors that arise from ependymal cells. They are uncommon in adults, accounting for only 2–3% of all primary brain tumors. Subependymomas and myxopapillary ependymomas are two types of grade I ependymomas that grow slowly.
The most prevalent type of ependymal tumor is grade II, which is also known as ependymomas. They are classified as cellular, papillary, clear cell, or tancytic ependymomas by doctors. Anaplastic ependymomas are grade III ependymomas, which are faster-growing tumors.

Symptoms of Glioma

Glioma symptoms vary depending on a variety of circumstances. They are determined by the tumor’s size as well as the tumor’s location in the brain or spinal cord. Headaches are the most prevalent sign of a brain tumor, affecting 35 percent of those who have them. Other symptoms include:

• memory loss
• seizures, nausea, and vomiting
• alterations in activity levels
• changes in personality
• a decrease in appetite
• weakness
• balancing difficulties
• having difficulty walking
• eyesight deterioration
• issues with speech

Risk Factors of Glioma

Gliomas, like most primary brain tumors, have an unknown cause. However, there are some factors that can raise your chances of developing a brain tumor and they include:

Hereditary Factors

Glioma does not usually run in families, however, having a family history of glioma increases your chances of getting it. Although a number of genes have been found to be marginally linked to glioma, additional research is needed to confirm a link between these genetic variants and brain cancers.

Age

As you become older, your chances of developing a brain tumor increase. Gliomas are most common in people between the ages of 45 and 65. A brain tumor, on the other hand, can strike at any age. Children and young adults are more likely to develop gliomas like ependymomas and pilocytic astrocytomas.

Exposure to Radiation

Brain tumors are more likely in people who have been exposed to ionizing radiation. Radiation therapy for cancer treatment and atomic bomb radiation are two examples of ionizing radiation.

How to Diagnose Glioma

If your primary care physician suspects you have a brain tumor, you may be asked to see a neurologist who specializes in brain and nervous system issues (neurologist). A variety of tests and procedures may be recommended by your doctor, including:

Neurological Examination

Your doctor may examine your vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength, and reflexes during a neurological exam. Problems in one or more of these areas could indicate which area of your brain is being affected by a brain tumor.

Imaging Test

Brain cancers are frequently diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). During your MRI study, a dye (contrast material) may be injected into a vein in your arm to aid in the detection of changes in brain tissue.

Tests to Find Cancer in Other Parts of your Body

Your doctor may propose tests and treatments to discover where cancer originated to rule out other forms of brain tumors that have spread from other places of the body. Gliomas are cancers that begin in the brain and do not spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Biopsy

A biopsy with a needle may be conducted before treatment or as part of an operation to remove the brain tumor, depending on the location of the glioma.

How to Treat Glioma

Glioma treatment is determined by the type, size, grade, and location, of the tumor, as well as your age, general health, and personal preferences. Treatment for glioma may include employing medications to lessen the tumor’s symptoms, in addition to steps to eliminate the tumor itself. Also, steroids may be prescribed by your doctor to lessen swelling and relieve pressure on the brain’s damaged areas. You can also treat seizures with anti-epileptic medicines.

Radiation Therapy

In the treatment of gliomas, particularly high-grade gliomas, radiation therapy is frequently used after surgery. To kill tumor cells, radiation uses high-energy beams such as X-rays or protons. Radiation therapy for glioma is done by a machine that is located outside of your body (external beam radiation).

Active Surveillance

In this type of treatment, regular checks are required to guarantee that a person’s condition does not deteriorate. They are not given any treatment. Active surveillance can be beneficial for those who have slow-growing tumors that aren’t generating any symptoms. At this point, the risks or probable side effects of treatment may exceed the advantages, so doctors may wait a while before starting treatment.

Surgery

The first step in glioma treatment may be surgery. A surgeon may be able to remove the entire tumor or a significant amount of cancerous tissue, depending on the tumor’s grade, however, it may not be possible to completely remove the tumor, depending on its location in the brain and the functions it affects.

Also, glioma surgery has risks, including infection and bleeding. Other dangers may arise, depending on where your tumor is located in your brain. For example, removing a tumor near your eyes’ nerves may result in visual loss.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a treatment that employs medications to prevent cancer cells from developing. When medications enter the bloodstream and move throughout the body, it is referred to as systemic chemotherapy. To target gliomas, a subset of chemotherapeutic medicines can pass the blood-brain barrier. Doctors may consider using a dissolvable wafer to implant directly in the brain at the tumor site after the tumor has been removed for brain tumors. Localized chemotherapy is the name for this approach. It aids in the removal of any remaining tumors and may assist to prevent undesired side effects in other parts of the body.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted medication treatments are designed to target specific abnormalities found in cancer cells. This treatment can kill cancer cells by preventing these abnormalities. Bevacizumab is a targeted medication treatment for glioblastoma, a kind of brain cancer (Avastin). This medicine, administered intravenously, prevents the creation of new blood vessels, cutting off blood flow to a tumor and killing tumor cells.

Now that you Know…

A number of things influence a glioma’s prognosis. To find out the prognosis for their specific case, a person should visit their doctor.