The concept of glioma covers a wide group of primary tumors of the brain and spinal cord that arise from glial cells - the main brain cells, according to the online publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. net Symptoms, prognosis and treatment of malignant glioma depend on the age of the patient, the specific type of tumor, its location in the brain.

These tumors tend to grow and capture healthy brain tissue, which makes their surgical removal difficult and sometimes impossible..

The risk of glioma increases with age, and reaches a peak, according to American experts, by the age of 76-85 years. Brain tumors are more likely to occur in men than in women..

The main known risk factor for gliomas is radiation exposure to the brain.. About 5% of patients with glioma have close relatives who have had this type of cancer. This suggests that the hereditary factor also plays a role in the onset of the disease.. Some genetic diseases significantly increase the risk of glioma in children, but quite rarely in adults.

However, the association between lifestyle and the risk of glioma is unknown.. At least alcohol, smoking and using mobile phones do not increase the risk of glioma.

Classification of gliomas.

Gliomas account for about 77% of all malignant brain tumors..

The American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests three main types of gliomas, including oligodendrogliomas, astrocytomas, and ependymomas. The fourth type contains more than one type of cell, and is not actually a glioma.

Ependymomas account for about 2% of all brain tumors.. These tumors come from ependymal cells, are not prone to spread to normal brain tissue, and can be removed surgically. They very rarely give metastases beyond the brain..

Astrocytomas account for about 35% of all brain tumors.. They come from brain cells called astrocytes.. Most of these tumors are not treatable, as they grow into healthy brain tissue.. Astrocytomas are classified according to the degree of malignancy (GR I, II, III, IV) - tumors of the first degree grow most slowly, and tumors of the fourth degree grow faster (they are also called glioblastomas).

Oligodendrogliomas account for about 4% of all brain tumors. These tumors spread like astrocytomas, and usually cannot be removed surgically.

Symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms of gliomas are similar to the symptoms of other brain tumors, and depend on the location of the tumor and its size.. The most common symptom of glioma is a headache, which is observed in half of patients.

Other symptoms include seizures, memory loss, weakness, impaired muscle control, visual problems, speech impairment, decreased intelligence and personality change. These symptoms may change as the cancer progresses and destroys new brain cells, compresses different parts of the brain, and causes an increase in intracranial pressure..

Tumor Diagnosis.

The main methods for detecting brain tumors are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Moreover, the latter method is considered more suitable. If the results of magnetic resonance scanning indicate the presence of a tumor, then the doctor can conduct a brain biopsy - the procedure for taking a tissue sample directly from the tumor.

A biopsy should either confirm or disprove the diagnosis..

Glioma treatment.

For the treatment of gliomas and other brain tumors, there are a huge number of treatment methods today.. The choice of a particular treatment regimen depends on the particular case, the patient's condition, the degree of tumor malignancy.

The methods for treating glioma are as follows:.

Surgical removal of the tumor is the main, most effective treatment for glioma.. But the use of this method for the treatment of brain tumors is limited by many factors.. Sometimes the cancer affects important areas, and the operation can affect important brain functions such as movement, thinking, speech, sensations.

Positron emission tomography and MRI help the surgeon very accurately determine the location of the tumor.. But often the tumors are located in such places that the operation can lead to the death of the patient - in these cases, other treatment methods are used.

In addition, even the most careful removal of the tumor does not guarantee 100% that the cancer will not return in time, therefore, after surgery, patients should be under the supervision of a doctor for a long time.

High Power Directional Radiation Therapy. These rays effectively destroy fast-growing cancer cells.. However, radiation therapy also has many limitations and side effects, up to an increased risk of developing other types of cancer in the future..

Chemotherapy with drugs that slow down the growth and growth of cancer cells. Today there is a wide selection of chemotherapeutic agents, both for oral administration and for injection.. Chemotherapy is also associated with a large number of side effects, which should be discussed with your doctor..

Supportive therapy, aimed not at eliminating cancer, but at alleviating symptoms and restoring brain function. Corticosteroid hormone treatment helps relieve cerebral edema and relieve headaches. Anticonvulsants help with seizures. Nootropic drugs improve mental activity and memory.

Brain Cancer Predictions.

High-grade gliomas are fast-growing tumors. They are almost incurable, and have a poor prognosis, especially in elderly patients.. For patients with grade IV glioblastoma, according to American oncologists, the average life expectancy after diagnosis is 12 months. A very small number of patients with anaplastic astrocytoma live more than 3 years, with conservative treatment.

Nevertheless, modern and promising methods of treatment, drugs with selective action, gene therapy, immunotherapy can hope to improve the results of treatment of such patients in the near future.

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