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Glioma
A glioma is a type of malignant tumor originating in the glial cells of the brain or spinal cord. Gliomas comprise about 30% of all brain and central nervous system tumors and 80% of all malignant brain tumors. Common subtypes include astrocytoma (cancer of astrocytes), glioblastoma (an aggressive form of astrocytoma), oligodendroglioma (cancer of oligodendrocytes), and ependymoma (cancer of ependymal cells).
The presentation of a glioma depends on the part of the central nervous system (CNS) that the glioma affects.
A brain glioma can cause headaches, vomiting, memory loss, seizures, vision problems, speech difficulties, and cranial nerve disorders. These symptoms arise as a result of increased intracranial pressure.
When the glioma is located in or around the optic nerve cognitive impairments such as vision loss can happen.
Spinal cord gliomas can cause pain, weakness, or numbness in the extremities of the body (arms, legs, hands, feet) .
Gliomas do not usually metastasize through the bloodstream, but they can spread via the cerebrospinal fluid and cause "drop metastases" to the spinal cord. Complex visual hallucinations have been described as a symptom of low-grade glioma. Children with sub-acute CNS disorders that produce cranial nerve abnormalities (especially of cranial nerve VII and the lower bulbar nerves), long-tract signs, unsteady gait secondary to spasticity, and behavioral changes are likely to have a pontine glioma, a tumor of the brainstem.
The exact causes of gliomas are not known. Hereditary disorders such as neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis complex are known to predispose individuals to developing gliomas. Different oncogenes can cooperate in the development of gliomas.
The best-known risk factor is exposure to ionizing radiation, including the radiation emitted by CT scans. The dose-response for the relationship between low-dose ionizing radiation and glioma risk is a risk increase of 55% per 100 milligray of radiation. A link between gliomas and electromagnetic radiation from cell phones has not been conclusively proven. It was considered possible, though several large studies have found no conclusive evidence, as summarized by the National Institute of Health's National Cancer Institute review of the topic and its numerous citations, and the FCC. However, further research is still being pursued to obtain more robust evidence and verify that there is no relationship (the NIH's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences most recent press release discussed an ongoing study showing mildly positive results, although it appears there may have been issues with the control group dying prematurely).
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Glioma AI simulator
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Glioma
A glioma is a type of malignant tumor originating in the glial cells of the brain or spinal cord. Gliomas comprise about 30% of all brain and central nervous system tumors and 80% of all malignant brain tumors. Common subtypes include astrocytoma (cancer of astrocytes), glioblastoma (an aggressive form of astrocytoma), oligodendroglioma (cancer of oligodendrocytes), and ependymoma (cancer of ependymal cells).
The presentation of a glioma depends on the part of the central nervous system (CNS) that the glioma affects.
A brain glioma can cause headaches, vomiting, memory loss, seizures, vision problems, speech difficulties, and cranial nerve disorders. These symptoms arise as a result of increased intracranial pressure.
When the glioma is located in or around the optic nerve cognitive impairments such as vision loss can happen.
Spinal cord gliomas can cause pain, weakness, or numbness in the extremities of the body (arms, legs, hands, feet) .
Gliomas do not usually metastasize through the bloodstream, but they can spread via the cerebrospinal fluid and cause "drop metastases" to the spinal cord. Complex visual hallucinations have been described as a symptom of low-grade glioma. Children with sub-acute CNS disorders that produce cranial nerve abnormalities (especially of cranial nerve VII and the lower bulbar nerves), long-tract signs, unsteady gait secondary to spasticity, and behavioral changes are likely to have a pontine glioma, a tumor of the brainstem.
The exact causes of gliomas are not known. Hereditary disorders such as neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis complex are known to predispose individuals to developing gliomas. Different oncogenes can cooperate in the development of gliomas.
The best-known risk factor is exposure to ionizing radiation, including the radiation emitted by CT scans. The dose-response for the relationship between low-dose ionizing radiation and glioma risk is a risk increase of 55% per 100 milligray of radiation. A link between gliomas and electromagnetic radiation from cell phones has not been conclusively proven. It was considered possible, though several large studies have found no conclusive evidence, as summarized by the National Institute of Health's National Cancer Institute review of the topic and its numerous citations, and the FCC. However, further research is still being pursued to obtain more robust evidence and verify that there is no relationship (the NIH's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences most recent press release discussed an ongoing study showing mildly positive results, although it appears there may have been issues with the control group dying prematurely).