Glioma – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Glioma is a mass of cells that grows in the brain or spinal cord. These cells resemble normal glial cells, which support and protect nerve cells in the brain.
As gliomas develop, they form tumors that can press against brain or spinal cord tissue, causing symptoms based on their location.
Gliomas come in several types. Some grow slowly and are non-cancerous. Others are malignant (cancerous) and grow rapidly, invading healthy brain tissue. Different types of gliomas tend to affect either adults or children more commonly.
Types of Gliomas:
- Slow-growing (non-cancerous)
- Fast-growing (malignant/cancerous)
- Adult-specific types
- Childhood-specific types
The specific type of glioma helps doctors determine the severity of the condition and plan appropriate treatment.
Treatment options typically include:
- Surgery to remove the tumor
- Radiation therapy to target cancer cells
- Chemotherapy medications
- Other specialized treatments
Doctors consider the glioma type when creating personalized treatment plans for patients.
Types of Brain Tumors
Brain tumors come in several forms, each affecting different cells within the brain. The main types include:
- Astrocytoma: Develops from star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes.
- Ependymoma: Forms in the cells lining the fluid-filled spaces in the brain.
- Glioblastoma: An aggressive form of brain cancer that grows rapidly.
- Oligodendroglioma: Originates in cells that produce the protective covering around nerve cells.
Each tumor type requires different treatment approaches based on its location, growth pattern, and cell characteristics.
Signs and Symptoms
Glioma symptoms vary based on where the tumor is in the brain, its size, type, and growth rate. You might notice different symptoms depending on these factors.
Common symptoms include:
- Headaches that are often worse in the morning
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion or trouble thinking clearly
- Memory problems
- Changes in personality or becoming more irritable
- Vision changes like blurry vision, seeing double, or losing side vision
- Trouble speaking
- Seizures, especially if you’ve never had them before
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you notice any of these symptoms or have other concerns about your health, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Don’t wait if these signs are affecting your daily life.
Causes
Glioma begins when brain or spinal cord cells develop DNA changes. These changes give wrong instructions to cells, telling them to multiply quickly and not die when they should. As a result, abnormal cells build up and form a tumor.
The growing tumor can press against nearby nerves and tissues in the brain or spinal cord. This pressure leads to symptoms and problems for the person.
Some gliomas develop additional DNA changes that make them cancerous. These changes tell the cells to attack and destroy healthy brain tissue around them.
The tumor cells in glioma look very similar to normal glial cells. Glial cells are special cells that protect and support nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Scientists and doctors don’t fully understand what triggers these DNA changes to happen in the first place. Research continues to find the exact cause of these cellular changes that lead to glioma development.
Risk Factors
Several factors may increase a person’s chance of developing glioma:
Age
- Most common in adults between 45-65 years old
- Can occur at any age
- Certain types appear more frequently in children and young adults
Radiation Exposure
- Contact with ionizing radiation increases risk
- Includes radiation therapy used for cancer treatment
Family History
- Gliomas occasionally run in families, though this is rare
- Scientists continue to study possible genetic links
Research has not identified specific preventive measures for glioma. Scientists continue to investigate potential risk factors and prevention strategies, but currently no proven methods exist to reduce risk.
