What is Glioma in Children
Glioma is a tumor that is a type of brain cancer. Glioma tumors are made up of cells called glial cells. Glial cells normally provide nutrition, oxygen, and structural support to the brain.
Three types of glial cells can produce tumors. Gliomas are named after the type of glial cell that is involved in the tumor. A tumor is formed when the glial cells grow into an abnormal mass of tissue.
The most common types of gliomas in children are:
- Astrocytoma.
- Glioblastoma. This may also be called glioblastoma multiforme.
- Medulloblastoma.
- Ependymoma.
- Optic glioma. This may also be called pilocytic astrocytoma.
What are the causes?
The exact cause of this condition is not known.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to develop in:
- Children who have certain genetic abnormalities.
- Children who have been exposed to radiation, such as previous radiation therapy for cancer.
- Children who have certain conditions, including neurofibromatosis, Li–Fraumeni syndrome, or Turcot syndrome.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Headache, which may be worse in the morning and relieved by vomiting.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fatigue.
- Vision changes or vision loss.
- Hearing problems.
- Seizures.
- Speech problems.
- Balance problems.
- Confusion.
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body or in an arm or leg.
- Behavior changes.
Symptoms of this condition depend on the size, type, and location of the tumor.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed based on your child’s medical history and symptoms as well as a physical exam. Your child will also have tests or procedures, including:
- A neurological exam.
- CT scan or MRI or other imaging tests of the brain.
- Biopsy of the tumor. This is when a sample of the tumor is removed and studied.
- A lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap. This is a procedure that looks at the spinal fluid for any cancer cells.
If a glioma is confirmed, it will be staged to determine its severity and extent. Staging is an assessment of:
- The size of the tumor.
- If the cancer has spread (metastasized).
- Where the cancer has spread.
How is this treated?
There are many ways to treat this condition. Treatment can depend on the size, location, and stage of the tumor. Often, more than one type of treatment is used. Treatment may include:
- Surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
- High-energy
rays (radiation therapy) to help shrink or kill the tumor. There
are different types of radiation therapy, including:
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy.
- Proton beam therapy. This type of radiation uses protons instead of X-rays and is commonly used with children.
- Stereotactic radiation therapy. This may also be called radiosurgery.
- Chemotherapy to shrink or kill the tumor. This may be given by injection or as a pill.
- Targeted therapy that uses substances that block the growth of or kill cancer cells with less damage to normal cells.
- Steroid medicine to decrease brain swelling and improve symptoms.
- Medicines to treat or prevent seizures.
Your child’s health care provider may also refer your child to a physical, occupational, or speech therapist, or a combination of these therapists, as a part of your child’s treatment.
Gliomas can come back after treatment. Children who have a glioma that comes back may need additional treatment.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
- Your child’s health care provider will closely monitor your child for any signs that the cancer is returning. Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important. Your child may need more frequent visits with your child’s health care provider as well as periodic imaging studies, such as an MRI to monitor the tumor or a previous tumor location.
Where to find more information
- American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/
- National Cancer Institute (NCI): https://www.cancer.gov/
- American Brain Tumor Association: http://www.abta.org
Contact a health care provider if:
- Any of your child’s symptoms come back.
- Your child cannot eat or drink.
- Your child is more weak or tired than usual.
- Your child loses weight without trying.
Get help right away if:
- Your child has a seizure.
- Your child has a fever.
- Your child has new symptoms, such as vision problems or difficulty walking.
- Your child has trouble breathing.
Summary
- A glioma is a tumor that is a type of brain cancer.
- Treatment with surgery and a combination of chemotherapy or radiation therapy or both is common.
- Because this type of cancer can return, it is important to report any new or unusual symptoms that your child is having to his or her health care provider.
- Your child will need periodic follow-up care to check on the tumor or a previous tumor location. This may or may not include occasional imaging studies, such as an MRI.
