Gliomas is a general term used to describe tumors that start from "Glial" cells (the gluey, supportive tissue of the brain). A glioma is a type of brain tumor that originates in the brain, a so-called "primary brain tumor." This is different than a brain tumor that has spread from another area of the body, which is called metastatic brain tumors. Gliomas are also called intra-axial brain tumors because they grow within the substance of the brain and often mix with normal brain tissue. Gliomas account for about 80 percent of all malignant brain tumors and include all tumors arising from the supportive tissue of the brain.
Astrocytomas – Astrocytomas are the most common form of glioma, originating from star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. They can occur anywhere in the brain but are most commonly found in the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain responsible for higher brain functions like speech, memory, sensory function and movement. Astrocytomas are often cystic (cyst-forming).
Oligodendrogliomas – slow-growing transformations of the oligodendrocytes, which can occur anywhere there is myelin sheath. About 3% of brain tumors are oligodendrogliomas. This type of tumor is most common in men between 35 to 40 years of age. Patients with oligodendrogliomas have a higher survival rate than most other brain tumors.
Ependymomas – usually benign and lower grade tumors of ependymal cells that line the center of the spinal cord and the ventricles of the brain. However, they can sometimes spread rapidly via the pathways that transport the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Ependymomas are more common in adolescent males.
Mixed Gliomas: In some cases, tumors can have mixed features and therefore be named mixed glioma. oligoastrocytoma, for example, is a “mixed glioma” tumor, which contains both abnormal oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma cells. These tumors can be found primarily within the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. The frontal lobes are the most frequently affected region, followed by the temporal lobes.
The symptoms of glioma depend on the grade, size, and location of the glioma, but the general symptoms are:
Surgery – There are 3 main goals of surgery:
1) create a diagnosis of glioma and establish the grade; 2) decrease the size of the glioma and improve symptoms; 3) accomplishing recovery (when possible) or, when treatment by surgery alone is not possible, reduce the tumor size to boost the efficiency of other treatments.
Craniotomy is a procedure performed by a neurosurgeon to diagnose and treat a brain tumor. Most symptoms from gliomas are due to either by compression of normal brain tissue or increased pressure in the brain. Pressure and compression are decreased by removing some (if not all) of the tumor and thereby improving the symptoms. A hole is incised into the skull in order to provide access to the brain. This allows a biopsy of the glioma and the chance to take out some of the tumors at the same time. The biopsy provides tissue samples to the neuropathologist, which helps him to make an exact diagnosis of the tumour’s composition, which is significant to get the best treatment.
You may wonder what determines whether a tumor can be removed completely by surgery. The answer is “location". If a tumor is located in the speech and language or motor center, for instance, complete removal of the tumor may not be possible without damaging speech, language, or movement. In other areas of the brain, it may be safe to remove the entire brain tumor. Consult with your neurosurgeon if you have questions about whether or not a tumor can be safely removed in its entirety.
Radiotherapy – High-grade Gliomas are treated with fractionated radiation, which is the type of radiation therapy where small, precise doses of radiation are used to target and destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy uses high-precision ionizing radiation (such as X-rays or protons) to destroy cancerous cells. There are different types of technology used in radiotherapy to deliver radiation to treat brain tumors, such as a gamma knife, adapted linear accelerators (LINAC) and proton beam systems.
The amount of radiation to the tumor accumulates during the treatment period and cancerous cells are destroyed. Radiation therapy is also performed after surgery for high-grade gliomas. It is also used to treat for recurrent Gliomas and in locations where surgery is deemed unsafe. Consult your radiation oncologist about the details of your treatment and about the possible side effects.
Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy can either be a pill that you take by mouth (orally) or a liquid that is given through an IV into the bloodstream (intravenous). For chemotherapy to be able to kill glioma cells, it must be able to pass from the bloodstream into the brain. Only certain chemotherapy medicines are able to cross the blood-brain-barrier. Chemotherapy is usually used together with radiation therapy to treat gliomas.
Dr. Manish Vaish and Dr Bundela at brain and spine ppl offers the best of neurosurgery treatment and cares for all types of neurological diseases. Helmed by the best brain surgeon in NCR/North India, the hospital today is recognized for its expertise & experience in the treatment of complex neurological conditions. They offer the best cancerous brain tumor treatment in India by the top neurosurgeons and a team of dedicated staff, bringing a wealth of experience and wide-ranging expertise that has helped them emerge into the best neurosurgical care center in the region. The hospital is committed to provide best glioma treatment in NCR/North India.
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Mail us: thebrainandspinecenter@gmail.com
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Types of gliomas
Tumors such as “brain stem glioma” and optic nerve glioma” are named for their locations, not the tissue type from which they originate. There are a number of different types of gliomas which are named based on the type of glial cells from which they arise:Astrocytomas – Astrocytomas are the most common form of glioma, originating from star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. They can occur anywhere in the brain but are most commonly found in the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain responsible for higher brain functions like speech, memory, sensory function and movement. Astrocytomas are often cystic (cyst-forming).
Oligodendrogliomas – slow-growing transformations of the oligodendrocytes, which can occur anywhere there is myelin sheath. About 3% of brain tumors are oligodendrogliomas. This type of tumor is most common in men between 35 to 40 years of age. Patients with oligodendrogliomas have a higher survival rate than most other brain tumors.
Ependymomas – usually benign and lower grade tumors of ependymal cells that line the center of the spinal cord and the ventricles of the brain. However, they can sometimes spread rapidly via the pathways that transport the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Ependymomas are more common in adolescent males.
Mixed Gliomas: In some cases, tumors can have mixed features and therefore be named mixed glioma. oligoastrocytoma, for example, is a “mixed glioma” tumor, which contains both abnormal oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma cells. These tumors can be found primarily within the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. The frontal lobes are the most frequently affected region, followed by the temporal lobes.
Symptoms of gliomas
Glioma symptoms appear slowly and may be subtle at first. Some gliomas do not cause any symptoms and might be diagnosed when you go to check-up for other reasons. The brain has specialized areas that help us control movement, speech, sensation, memory, vision, and many other functions. For example, if you have a tumor in the part of the brain that controls language, you may have trouble speaking or understanding. If a brain tumor grows in the part of the brain that controls the right arm, you may have weakness, numbness or seizures that involve the right arm.The symptoms of glioma depend on the grade, size, and location of the glioma, but the general symptoms are:
- Persistent Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Small Seizures resulting in strange smells, weird feelings in your stomach or brief spells that you can’t explain.
- Larger seizures that lead to trembling movements of your arms and legs. They may also affect your ability to talk.
- Changes in personality
- Memory loss
- Changes in speech
- Weakness or loss of feeling in limbs and walking difficulties
- Double or blurred vision and abnormal eye movements.
Treatment for gliomas
Treatment options for gliomas can include:Surgery – There are 3 main goals of surgery:
1) create a diagnosis of glioma and establish the grade; 2) decrease the size of the glioma and improve symptoms; 3) accomplishing recovery (when possible) or, when treatment by surgery alone is not possible, reduce the tumor size to boost the efficiency of other treatments.
Craniotomy is a procedure performed by a neurosurgeon to diagnose and treat a brain tumor. Most symptoms from gliomas are due to either by compression of normal brain tissue or increased pressure in the brain. Pressure and compression are decreased by removing some (if not all) of the tumor and thereby improving the symptoms. A hole is incised into the skull in order to provide access to the brain. This allows a biopsy of the glioma and the chance to take out some of the tumors at the same time. The biopsy provides tissue samples to the neuropathologist, which helps him to make an exact diagnosis of the tumour’s composition, which is significant to get the best treatment.
You may wonder what determines whether a tumor can be removed completely by surgery. The answer is “location". If a tumor is located in the speech and language or motor center, for instance, complete removal of the tumor may not be possible without damaging speech, language, or movement. In other areas of the brain, it may be safe to remove the entire brain tumor. Consult with your neurosurgeon if you have questions about whether or not a tumor can be safely removed in its entirety.
Radiotherapy – High-grade Gliomas are treated with fractionated radiation, which is the type of radiation therapy where small, precise doses of radiation are used to target and destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy uses high-precision ionizing radiation (such as X-rays or protons) to destroy cancerous cells. There are different types of technology used in radiotherapy to deliver radiation to treat brain tumors, such as a gamma knife, adapted linear accelerators (LINAC) and proton beam systems.
The amount of radiation to the tumor accumulates during the treatment period and cancerous cells are destroyed. Radiation therapy is also performed after surgery for high-grade gliomas. It is also used to treat for recurrent Gliomas and in locations where surgery is deemed unsafe. Consult your radiation oncologist about the details of your treatment and about the possible side effects.
Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy can either be a pill that you take by mouth (orally) or a liquid that is given through an IV into the bloodstream (intravenous). For chemotherapy to be able to kill glioma cells, it must be able to pass from the bloodstream into the brain. Only certain chemotherapy medicines are able to cross the blood-brain-barrier. Chemotherapy is usually used together with radiation therapy to treat gliomas.
Dr. Manish Vaish and Dr Bundela at brain and spine ppl offers the best of neurosurgery treatment and cares for all types of neurological diseases. Helmed by the best brain surgeon in NCR/North India, the hospital today is recognized for its expertise & experience in the treatment of complex neurological conditions. They offer the best cancerous brain tumor treatment in India by the top neurosurgeons and a team of dedicated staff, bringing a wealth of experience and wide-ranging expertise that has helped them emerge into the best neurosurgical care center in the region. The hospital is committed to provide best glioma treatment in NCR/North India.
Mail us: thebrainandspinecenter@gmail.com
Book appointment: www.thebrainandspine.com/book-an-appointment
