This neurological disease, called gliomas or glial tumors, can generally be explained as malignant tumor cells found in the brain. As with many brain tumor symptoms, glial tumors can present with many symptoms such as severe headache, epilepsy, nausea and vomiting. However, these symptoms may indicate another disease or it may be thought to be another disease, but it may actually turn out to be a glial tumor. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are important for the course of the disease. Consulting a neurosurgeon as soon as possible in light of the symptoms of the disease can prevent the disease from having a serious impact.
What is Glioma?
Glial tumors are the most common type of tumor that arise from the brain's own cells, and most malignant tumors in the brain are caused by glial tumors. Glioma is the general name given to a group of tumors that occur in the glial cells that form the supporting tissue in the brain. This group of usually malignant tumors accounts for about 35% of all brain tumors. The symptoms of a glioma often overlap with those of a brain tumor. Epileptic seizures, headaches, nausea and vomiting are among the main symptoms. A person with glioma needs to be treated. Otherwise, changes in the personality of patients may occur. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical intervention can be used in the treatment of glioma. Glial tumors can occur through genetic transmission.
What Causes Gliomas?
The exact cause of these brain tumors called gliomas is not known. These brain tumors, which can be seen at any age, including childhood, can occur as a result of certain genetic diseases (such as tuberous sclerosis). Excessive exposure to radiation can also trigger the formation of gliomas. There is no method to prevent the formation of gliomas or similar brain tumors or a precaution to be taken against their formation.
What are Glioma Risk Factors?
While prolonged exposure to radiation, electromagnetic fields, chemical substances and viral infections increases the risk of glioma, factors such as advancing age and weakening of the immune system trigger the formation of brain tumors for gliomas, just as they are risk factors for many types of cancer.
What are the Types of Glioma?
Glioma formation varies according to the type of glial cells. The main glioma types can be listed as follows:
Astrocytoma
Named after the star-shaped astrocytoma cells found in the brain, this disease is the most common type of malignant tumor and can occur anywhere in the brain.
Oligodendroglioma
This type of glioma is caused by oligodendrocytes, the cells that line the brain nerve fibers called myelin.
Oligoastrocytoma
This type of glioma forms as a mixture of abnormal oligodendrocytes and astrocytes.
Ganglioglioma
This rare glioma occurs in the brain or spinal cord. It consists of both nerve cells and glial cells.
Ependymoma
It is a glioma formed by the cells responsible for filling the cavities of the brain and spinal canal. This type of glioma is common in children.
What are the symptoms of glioma?
Symptoms of brain tumors are usually the same. The part of the brain where the tumor is located and the size of the tumor are important. Tumors located in the skull can cause severe pain due to increased pressure, and as the tumor grows, the intensity of the pain increases and symptoms develop. Glioma symptoms can be listed as follows:
- Headache (especially a recurrent, severe, previously non-existent pain that increases in intensity in situations such as coughing or shouting)
- Seizures (Epileptic attacks)
- Visual impairment (such as double vision, blurred vision)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness and balance problems
- Speech disorders
- Memory loss, behavioral changes, personality changes, loss of abilities (such as inability to read a book or write)
- Impairment in motor movements (weakness in hands, arms, legs)
The symptoms listed above will vary depending on which part of the brain the glial tumor is located in. Some symptoms may be present while others may not. Therefore, it is important to consult a specialist physician as soon as possible to make sure that glial tumors are the cause of these symptoms and to eliminate any doubts.
Non-high grade gliomas are common in children aged 4-10 years. This group of tumors, which usually affects the cerebellum, grows and can cause problems with the circulation of brain or spinal fluid.
How is Glioma Diagnosed?
In order to diagnose glioma, the physician first starts the diagnostic process by performing a neurological examination. In the meantime, he measures the patient's reflex, balance, vision, hearing and coordination skills. After the neurological examination, the doctor analyzes in which region the tumor will occur according to the aforementioned conditions and informs the patient accordingly. MRI and CT scans can then be used to make sure whether there is a tumor in the brain. Through these scans, the location, size and type of the tumor can be seen in detail. The measurements provide detailed information about whether the tumor is benign or malignant.
This can cause confusion as the symptoms of some diseases and brain tumors are similar. For example, if the patient has infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, fungus or other diseases such as stroke, the physician will have information about these diseases after a detailed investigation.
At the same time, if the physician suspects a disease that can affect the brain, such as lung cancer, he or she may perform cancer screening to eliminate suspicions.
Nevertheless, in the diagnostic process of gliomas, a brain biopsy is taken to make a definitive diagnosis, followed by microscopic examination of the tumor by pathology specialists and determination of the structure of the tumor.
What are the Treatment Methods for Gliomas?
Glioma treatment varies according to the structure, size, location and type of the tumor. In addition, the age, health status and history of the patient will also play an important role in the treatment method to be applied. Regardless of whether it is benign or malignant, surgical operation is the primary treatment method in the treatment of brain tumors.
However, if the tumor is located in a risky area of the brain that may pose a vital risk, it may not be possible to resort to surgical intervention. In such a case, the tumor is left in place and radiotherapy (radiation therapy) or chemotherapy (drug therapy) may be used. The patient may also be given cortisone medication to prevent the side effects of the tumor on the brain.
Another alternative treatment method other than open surgery is radiotherapy with the Gamma Knife device. Gamma rays sent to the brain through the device are effective in destroying the tumor. The procedure takes an average of 45-50 minutes and the patient does not feel any pain.