Brain Stem Gliomas (patient information)
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
|
Brain Stem Gliomas |
|
Brain Stem Gliomas On the Web |
|---|
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
- Childhood
- Childhood brain stem glioma is a disease in which benign (noncancer) or malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the brain stem.
- Gliomas are tumors formed from glial cells.
- The brain stem is the part of the brain connected to the spinal cord.
- Adults
- Brain stem gliomas are rare in adults.
What are the symptoms of Brain Stem Gliomas?
- Childhood
- The signs and symptoms of brain stem glioma are not the same in every child.
- Some tumors do not cause signs or symptoms. Signs and symptoms may be caused by childhood brain stem gliomas or by other conditions. Check with your child's doctor if your child has any of the following:
- Loss of ability to move one side of the face and/or body.
- Loss of balance and trouble walking.
- Vision and hearing problems.
- Morning headache or headache that goes away after vomiting.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Unusual sleepiness.
- More or less energy than usual.
- Changes in behavior.
- Trouble learning in school.
What causes Brain Stem Gliomas?
- Childhood
- Children irradiated fortinea capitis have been found to have an increased risk for other central nervous system tumors, such as meningiomas, gliomas, and nerve sheath tumors, but not necessarily tumors of the brain stem.
- Adults
- The cause of most adult brain and spinal cord tumors is unknown.
Who is at highest risk?
- Adults
- Being exposed to vinyl chloride may increase the risk of glioma.
- Childhood
- Having certain genetic disorders, such as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).
Diagnosis
- Primary tumors of the brain stem are most often diagnosed based on clinical findings and on neuroimaging studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Biopsy or resection may be indicated for brain stem tumors that are not diffuse and intrinsic or when there is diagnostic uncertainty based on imaging findings
- Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at an increased risk of developing a brain stem glioma. They may present with a long history of symptoms or be identified by screening tests
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Brain Stem Gliomas?
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The median survival for children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is less than 1 year. In contrast, focal pilocytic astrocytomas have a markedly improved prognosis, with 5-year overall survival exceeding 90%.