1. Glioma Tumors are Brain Cancer
Glioma tumors are a very fast moving form of brain cancer. The Glioma tumors are lethal tumors and can live on, even after surgery treatments, and then infect healthy brain tissue. These types of tumors are so aggressive that of the 20,000 affected each year, more than half die within eighteen months.
2. The Cause of Brain Cancer
Researchers are still not sure what causes this aggressive form of brain cancer. They are learning how the tumor grows and lives to come up with a solution to dissolve the tumor. In learning how the Glioma tumor grows and lives, researchers have come up with a new technique to stop the binding site of the special molecule that the Glioma tumor puts out. When a molecule binds to the site where the Glioma tumor cells bind, it stops the Glioma tumor from binding to the healthy blood vessel. If binding stops, no blood supply goes to the Glioma tumor and it will die and shrink away.
3. Diagnosis of Glioma
The diagnosis of a Glioma brain tumor involves many tests. The doctor may do a neurological exam to check your vision, hearing, balance, coordination and reflexes. Other tests include a CT scan and an MRI, to actually view where the tumors are and the size of the mass. Your doctor will also perform a biopsy of the Glioma tumor and remove a piece of the tumor. Researchers examine this under a microscope to confirm the type of abnormal cells growing. Your doctor will schedule the biopsy separately, or do the biopsy as part your planned surgery to remove the Glioma tumor. Your doctor will do a stereotactic biopsy for tumors in hard to reach areas of your brain. They drill a hole into the skull and insert a thin needle to remove the tumor tissue.
4. How to Treat This Rare Form of Brain Cancer
Most people diagnosed with a Glioma tumor undergo brain surgery to remove the tumor. This involves a craniotomy where the doctor cuts a piece of bone from your skull, removes your tumor, replaces your skull bone and sews your scalp back together. Radiation treatment, high-energy rays, may also destroy the Glioma tumor, as an alternative to surgery. Patients may also receive chemotherapy, mixtures of IV or oral drugs, to kill the Glioma tumor. These can be used in conjunction with surgery or as an alternative to surgery.
5. Prevention and Follow Up After Treatment
Treated Glioma may never come back or remain in remission, which means the abnormal cells stop growing. Your doctor will do regular CT scans and MRI to monitor the area of the brain cancer.
