Gliomas

What Are Gliomas?

Gliomas are a type of tumor that starts in the glial cells—the supportive tissue of the brain and spinal cord. Glial cells help maintain the health and function of nerve cells, but when they grow abnormally, they can form tumors known as gliomas. These tumors can be either low-grade (slow-growing) or high-grade (aggressive and fast-growing) and may occur in various parts of the central nervous system.

There are several subtypes of gliomas, including:

• Astrocytomas
• Oligodendrogliomas
  
• Ependymomas
• Mixed gliomas
  
  

Gliomas account for nearly one-third of all primary brain tumors and about 80% of all malignant (cancerous) brain tumors.

Who Gets Them and When?

Gliomas can affect individuals of any age but are most commonly diagnosed in adults between ages 45 and 70. Some subtypes, such as pilocytic astrocytomas, are more common in children and adolescents. Men are slightly more likely to develop gliomas than women.

What Causes Gliomas?

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of gliomas remains largely unknown, but researchers believe a combination of genetic mutations and environmental exposures may play a role.

Risk factors include:

• Age – Risk increases with age, particularly over 45
• Gender – Slightly more common in men
• Family history – Rare inherited syndromes such as Li-Fraumeni or neurofibromatosis may increase risk
• Radiation exposure – Especially therapeutic radiation to the head
• Genetic mutations – Changes in genes such as IDH1, TP53, and 1p/19q codeletions are associated with specific glioma types
  
  

Most gliomas occur sporadically, meaning without a clear inherited or environmental cause.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms?

Symptoms of gliomas vary depending on the tumor’s size, location, and rate of growth. Because gliomas affect brain function, symptoms may develop slowly or suddenly and can include:

• Rapidly progressive headaches – Often worse in the morning or with activity
• New onset seizures
• Cognitive or personality changes
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Speech or language difficulties
• Vision problems
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of coordination or balance
  
  

If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, timely evaluation by a specialist is critical.

How Are Gliomas Diagnosed?

Advanced imaging and diagnostic tools are used to confirm the presence, type, and grade of a glioma. Accurate diagnosis is key to building an effective treatment plan.

Diagnostic steps may include:

• Neurological exam – Testing reflexes, muscle strength, eye movement, and mental status
• MRI with contrast – The most sensitive imaging technique for brain tumors
• CT scan – Useful in emergency situations or when MRI isn’t available
• Surgical resection or biopsy – Tissue sample is taken to determine tumor type and grade
• Molecular testing – Genetic profiling of tumor cells to guide targeted therapies

How Are Gliomas Treated?

Treatment depends on several factors including tumor type, grade, location, and the patient’s overall health.

Medical Treatment

• Chemotherapy: Oral or IV medications may be used alone or alongside radiation therapy. The most common drug is temozolomide.
  
• Wafers: Some glioblastoma tumors are treated with drug-implanted wafers in addition to chemotherapy and radiation. These wafers are implanted into the brain during surgery to remove the tumor. These wafers release chemotherapy directly to the brain in the tumor cavity.
  
• Targeted therapies: Drugs designed to target specific genetic mutations in the tumor (e.g., IDH inhibitors).
  
• Tumor-treating fields (TTF): A wearable device that uses electrical fields to slow glioma growth.
  
  

Radiation Therapy

• External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is used after surgery as an adjunct to surgery to slow tumor growth. It can also be used if surgery isn’t an option.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife) to delivers highly focused radiation to small or hard-to-reach tumors while limiting radiation to healthy tissues.
  
  

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is often the first step in managing gliomas—especially when the tumor is accessible and can be removed without impacting neurologic function.

• Craniotomy with maximal safe resection is the goal, aiming to remove as much of the tumor as possible without damaging healthy brain tissue.
• Image-guided neurosurgery is used to enhance precision.
  
  

In some low-grade gliomas or deeply located tumors, a biopsy alone may be performed to confirm diagnosis and guide further treatment.

Expert, Personalized Care for Gliomas

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a glioma, our expert team is here to provide cutting-edge care and compassionate support.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment or learn more about your treatment options.