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Types of Gliomas

Gliomas, or brain tumors, come in many forms. Symptoms of a brain tumor include headaches, nausea, changes in your senses, balance and memory problems, muscle jerking and numbness or tingling in your limbs. Specific symptoms and treatment options depend on the type of glioma that develops.

  1. Astrocytomas

    • The most common type of gliomas is astrocytomas. These can occur in almost any part of the brain, and symptoms depend on the size, location and development of the tumor, and include seizures, headaches and mental problems. Grade I astrocytomas can usually be treated with surgery and radiation though Grade II; Grade II and Grade IV astrocytomas penetrate normal cells, so prognosis is not good, even with surgery or radiation.

    Ependymomas

    • Ependymomas are gliomas that are found in the passageways where brain and spinal cord fluid is found (the ependyma). Children typically develop ependymomas in the base of the brain, while adults develop them in the spinal cord. Treatment for this kind of tumor typically includes surgery and radiation, as chemotherapy usually doesn't work for ependymomas.

    Glioblastoma Multiforme

    • Glioblastoma multiformes are actually a subtype of astrocytomas. The average age of patients at diagnosis is 55, though they can be found in children. Patients with glioblastoma multiformes usually abruptly begin having seizures and other brain-related problems. This Grade IV astrocytoma is most commonly treated with surgery. Recent studies show that chemotherapy using temozolomide works well with fighting these tumors as well.

    Oligodendrogliomas

    • Oligodendrogliomas are tumors that begin in cells called "oligodendrocytes," which control nerve impulses, so symptoms include seizures and other nerve problems. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are all effective treatment options for oligodendrogliomas.

    Mixed Gliomas

    • Mixed gliomas are brain tumors that appear in two or more different kinds of brain cells. They most commonly appear in the cerebrum but can easily spread to other parts of the brain.

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