Glioma causes

Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 08, 2024
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In clinical practice, the etiology of gliomas is not very clear. It is not as straightforward as how smoking can easily lead to lung cancer or how cirrhosis can easily lead to liver cancer; many factors are speculative. For example, the most common theory in clinical practice involves genetics. Any form of genetic mutation or chromosomal mutation can induce the development of a glioma. For instance, excessive radiation exposure and drug abuse, and even maternal-fetal transmission or a genetic predisposition, could cause chromosomal abnormalities in patients, potentially leading to the formation of gliomas. However, the most fundamental cause has not yet been clearly identified.

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Causes of Glioma

Currently, there is no consensus on the specific causes of brain gliomas. Most scholars believe they result from a combination of congenital genetic factors and acquired factors. In the case of congenital factors, by tracing the medical history of patients with gliomas, it can be found that there is a tendency for a higher concentration of glioma cases among family members. Acquired factors are mostly seen in severe cranial trauma, extensive gliocyte proliferation, or due to unhealthy lifestyle habits, exposure to carcinogenic chemicals, or long-term damage from highly polluted radiation, which may easily trigger the development of gliomas.

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How is glioma graded?

According to the characteristics of pathology, gliomas are divided into grades one to four. Grade one is a low-grade malignancy, more benign tumor, accounting for about 5%, with a relatively high probability of successful surgical outcomes. Grade two accounts for about 35%, and after comprehensive treatment including surgery, the survival rate can reach five to ten years, or even longer. Grade three usually develops from grade two, with relatively poor prognosis, and the average survival period is about two years. Grade four, the most malignant glioma, also known as glioblastoma, accounts for about 30%-40%, with an average survival period of less than one year, and very poor outcomes.

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Late-stage symptoms of glioma

The continuous growth of gliomas or the occurrence of tumor stroke hemorrhages can lead to very high intracranial pressure in patients in the late stages. This results in severe headaches with persistent attacks, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Projectile vomiting is a typical manifestation of increased intracranial pressure. Patients may experience changes in consciousness, such as drowsiness, stupor, and coma. As the condition progresses to brain herniation, patients can fall into a deep coma, with either bilateral or unilateral pupil dilation and loss of light reflex. Vital signs become unstable, ultimately leading to death due to heart and respiratory arrest caused by the brain herniation.

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Glioma Symptoms

The symptoms of glioma are numerous, and it is essential to make judgments based on the situation. The most common clinical manifestations are headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms may persist for a relatively long period and are relatively mild, not immediately noticeable at the time. Additionally, some patients may experience a decline in cognitive function, colloquially described as becoming less intelligent. This is especially common in gliomas of the frontal lobe. If the glioma is located in the occipital lobe, it often causes visual disturbances, such as blurred vision and visual field defects. In cases of temporal lobe gliomas, frequent seizures and impaired limb mobility may occur. For cerebellar gliomas, symptoms can include a decline in cognitive function and ataxia, among others.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Can gliomas be inherited?

Gliomas have a certain hereditary proportion, but this is not an absolute concept. In clinical practice, there is no clear explanation for the pathogenic factors of gliomas, and theories are generally speculative. For instance, one factor is genetic nature, and there is also some familial clustering which supports the idea of a genetic predisposition. However, it is usually easier to identify purely genetic diseases, but gliomas often involve the inheritance of multiple genes, making it difficult to pinpoint the fundamental factors directly. Additionally, other factors include exposure to radiation and engaging in harmful work, such as producing methanol or solvents, etc. These can also cause genetic mutations leading to gliomas, so the issue is not necessarily solely genetic.