Glial cells in the brain play an essential role in supporting neurons and their function. Should these cells abnormally accumulate, they can cause gliomas to form, which are brain tumours. Not all gliomas are cancerous, but patients may still experience significant health effects with benign growths.
Doctors and researchers aren’t sure what cause gliomas. However, genetic factors are likely to play a role. In some cases, the accumulation of glial cells occurs spontaneously.
Gliomas are associated with the following symptoms:
Gliomas can also lead to more serious complications, such as fluid accumulation and bleeding in the brain. Accordingly, all symptoms must be assessed immediately to limit ill-effects.
Doctors can use a combination of treatments to address gliomas, including:
Some individuals will require multiple treatments. This is especially common for gliomas that can’t be treated with surgery alone. Because this condition can affect key areas of the brain, patients with gliomas may also require physical and occupational therapy once treatment is complete.