Low Grade Glioma

Low-grade glioma is a type of tumor that is commonly seen affecting children. The site of location of these tumors in brain or spine. This tumor originates in the glial cells called astrocyte and therefore called glioma. The electrical impulses sent by the brain within the nervous system is carried by the neurons. The glial cells help support and nourish these neurons. When these glial cells start growing abnormally and out of control, it results in glioma. Gliomas are categorized into grades according to the number of abnormal cells seen under a microscope. These grades are divided into tumors as low-grade glioma (grade 1 and 2) to high-grade glioma (grade 3 and 4).

What is Low-Grade Glioma?

Low-grade glioma in children is a very common form of solid tumor after leukemia. In low-grade glioma, the tumor cells look like normal brain cells and are mostly benign in nature. However, with time, they may turn into malignant brain tumors (cancerous tumors). There are different types of low-grade gliomas that are sub divided on the basis of their appearance under a microscope. The commonly seen low-grade glioma are as follows:

Diffuse Astrocytomas
Fibrillary astrocytoma or diffuse astrocytomas are the most commonly seen low-grade glioma that affect people who are in their late 30s.

Pilocytic Astrocytomas
The pilocytic astrocytomas progress very slowly and affect people who are under 25 years of age.

Oligodendrogliomas
These are slow-growing tumors and it is very important to distinguish oligodendrogliomas from pilocytic astrocytomas.

Gangliogliomas
The gangliogliomas have characteristics similar to gliomas as well as tumors of the neurons. They are very slow growing tumors.

Mixed Gliomas
The low-grade gliomas are a mixture of different subtypes like diffuse astrocytomas and oligodendroglioma.

Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma
This is a low-grade glioma affecting people with tuberous sclerosis disease.

Optic Nerve Glioma
Patients with neurofibromatosis are seen developing the optic nerve glioma. This is a tumor that affects the nerves connecting the eye.

Low-Grade Glioma in Children

Low-grade gliomas in children represent over 40% of all childhood spinal and brain tumors in children. Those children who have the tuberous sclerosis syndrome show high risk of developing glial tumors. In most of the low-grade gliomas in children, the tumors originate spontaneously without any identifiable cause. The low-grade gliomas in children are different from the primary low-grade glioma in adults.

Primary Low-Grade Glioma in Adults

The primary low-grade glioma in adults originate in the brain and are different from secondary brain tumors. They too develop from the glial cells and affect people of age between 35 to 45 years. People who have a family history of neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis or eye tumors are at risk of developing primary low-grade glioma in adults. In some cases, it may be a genetic condition and those who may have undergone radiation therapy for treatment of head, neck or brain tumor may develop this condition.

Low-Grade Glioma Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of low-grade glioma may differ in different patients. These low-grade glioma signs and symptoms depend on the site of the tumor. The symptoms of low-grade glioma are as follows:

• Lethargy
• Headache
• Irritability
• Clumsiness
• Seizures
• Problems with handwriting
• Decline in school work (in case of children)
• Abnormal gait
• Change or loss of vision
• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
• Premature puberty (in children)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Personality changes
• Confusion
• Memory problems
• Problem while talking

Low-Grade Glioma Treatment

The low-grade glioma treatment is decided after careful analysis of the patients age, health condition, other pre-existing conditions and response to treatment. The first step involves surgery to remove the tumor and help other neurological functions to function normally. Next, is chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill the cancerous cells and limit their growth. The doctor may advise anticonvulsants medication to control seizures. Inflammation in the brain may be kept under control with help of steroids.

Low-Grade Glioma Survival Rate

The low-grade glioma survival rate is better in case of patients that undergo chemotherapy. Patients have survived for at least one year after completion of their treatment. The survival rate after complete removal of the low-grade glioma is excellent. In some cases, where complete removal is not possible, the patients have found to survive many years and have a good quality of life with proper treatment. There are number of research studies going on that help provide some better ways to treat gliomas. Thus, low-grade gliomas survival rate is better than high-grade gliomas.

This was all about the low-grade gliomas. One needs to seek medical help if they are having vision problems, constant or severe headaches and have a family history of tuberous sclerosis. There are many support groups for patients with low-grade gliomas and brain tumor, that help one overcome the fear and face their problems with a positive approach. Hope the above paragraphs have helped you learn about low-grade gliomas and clear some of your queries regarding this type of brain tumor.