The most common type of primary brain tumor is a glioma. A glioma is a type of primary central nervous system tumor that arises from nerve cells known as glial cells, the supportive tissue of the brain.  The most common site of involvement of a glioma is in the brain, but these tumors can also affect the spinal cord or any other part of the central nervous system. About 42% of all brain tumors, including benign ones, are gliomas.  Counting only malignant tumors, 77% are gliomas.  They are uncommon in children, but their incidence rate goes up with age and peaks in the age group from 75 –84.

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There are several types of gliomas.  They are categorized according to where they are found and the type of cells from which the tumors originated.  The following are different types of gliomas:

Astrocytomas are glial cell tumors that are derived from connective tissue cells called astrocytes.

Brain stem gliomas are tumors found in the brain stem. Most brain stem tumors cannot be surgically removed .

Ependymomas are also glial cell tumors. They usually develop in the lining of the ventricles or in the spinal cord.

Optic nerve gliomas are found in or around the nerves that send messages from the eyes to the brain.

Oligodendrogliomas also arise from the supporting cells of the brain. They are found commonly in the cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum).

Several different treatments may be used to treat gliomas.  The decision for treatment is dependent upon many factors including the size of the tumor, its growth rate, and the symptoms produced by the tumor.  In addition, the patient’s health and physical status may also affect the treatment process.  Tumors may be treated with surgery, with chemotherapy, with radiation, or a combination of all of these.

Surgery is usually considered the first-line treatment.  Many times partial removal of the tumor is attempted and the residual tumor treated by some other means.Radiation therapy is used to treat a majority of these tumors, often in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy.Chemotherapy may also be used to treat gliomas in conjunction with surgery and radiation. 

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Gamma Knife Radiosurgery treatment may be used in addition to surgery, conventional radiation, and chemotherapy.  When Gamma Knife treatment is selected, there are several advantages to this approach:

• Scalpel-like precision
• One-day or outpatient procedure with recuperation period of only hours
• May be used alone or in combination with surgery and conventional radiation therapy
• May be used as a “boost” to assist in killing any malignant cells that may be left in the tumor bed after surgery.

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