Glial tumor

Glial tumors, also known as gliomas, are a broad group of tumors that arise from glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Glial cells are the supportive cells of the brain and spinal cord, and include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells. Gliomas represent the most common type of primary brain tumor and encompass a wide spectrum of neoplasms ranging from low-grade (slow-growing) to high-grade (aggressive) forms. Subtypes include astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, and glioblastomas. Symptoms depend on the tumor's location, size, and rate of growth, and may include headaches, seizures, cognitive or personality changes, focal neurological deficits such as weakness or speech difficulties, nausea, and visual disturbances. Most gliomas occur sporadically, though a small proportion arise in the context of hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, or Lynch syndrome. Molecular markers including IDH mutations, 1p/19q codeletion, and MGMT promoter methylation status are increasingly used to classify gliomas and guide treatment decisions. The current treatment landscape includes surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy (notably temozolomide for high-grade gliomas). Targeted therapies and immunotherapies are under active investigation. Prognosis varies widely depending on tumor grade, molecular profile, patient age, and extent of surgical resection, ranging from long-term survival for some low-grade gliomas to a median survival of approximately 15 months for glioblastoma.

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

Common questions about Glial tumor