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Pontine Glioma in Adults

Pontine glioma is high-grade cancerous tumor located in the lowest stem of the brain. Although this type of tumor is most prevalent in children, about 2.4 percent of intracranial tumors in adults are pontine glioma.

  1. Symptoms

    • Adults with pontine glioma may experience symptoms including nausea, headaches, vomiting, difficulty swallowing and double vision. These symptoms vary depending on the severity and exact location of the tumor.

    Diagnosis

    • Since lab studies such as biopsies are not usually helpful for diagnosing ponitine glioma. An MRI--which is the most preferred method--or CT scan is used instead.

    Treatment and Prognosis

    • Treatment for pontine glioma may include surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. The prognosis is dependent on the location, stage and recurrence status of the cancer. According to the Oxford Journals, a collection of neurology articles, the average survival age of adults with pontine glioma is 5.4 years.

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