Glioma Causes

Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Gliomas are common intracranial primary tumors, with astrocytoma being the most prevalent, followed by oligodendroglioma, medulloblastoma, glioblastoma, ependymoma, etc. The causes of gliomas are very complex and are still unclear to this day. The prevailing view is that the development of gliomas results from the combined effects of internal carcinogenic genes and external carcinogenic factors. Changes in carcinogenic genes include gene mutation deletions, proto-oncogene activation, and so on. External factors mainly include radiation from X-rays, smoking, drinking, and some toxic and harmful foods and medications, etc.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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What are the symptoms of glioma?

Patients with gliomas often exhibit a range of symptoms including significant headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. As the tumor grows, it typically leads to an evident increase in intracranial pressure. Besides the original symptoms, some patients may also experience marked declines in vision, visual field deficits, and papilledema. The growth of the tumor inevitably compresses surrounding tissues, nerves, and blood vessels, leading to a variety of symptoms of neurological damage, such as noticeable hemiplegia, aphasia, and even abnormal sensations in one side of the body, characterized by numbness, pain, and a pins-and-needles sensation.

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Clinical manifestations of glioma

For patients with glioma, as it is a malignant tumor with a rapid growth rate, they may exhibit severe symptoms at the early stage of the disease, including severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, poor mental state, poor sleep quality at night, frequent insomnia and nightmares, and easy waking up. As the tumor increases in size, it often causes an increase in intracranial pressure. In severe cases, this may lead to optic disc edema, decreased vision, and visual field defects. Additionally, some patients may experience impairment in motor functions, manifesting as hemiplegia, and in some cases, aphasia. It is advised to undergo surgery in the early stages, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

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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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Glioma Symptoms

For patients with glioma, they often exhibit certain degrees of headache and dizziness, with headaches typically located bilaterally in the frontal or temporal regions. The nature of the pain is relatively sharp, manifesting as intermittent attacks that progressively worsen over time. Long-standing gliomas easily induce a notable increase in intracranial pressure, presenting with severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and even a decrease in vision or visual field defects. When the glioma is located in the parietal lobe and affects important motor function areas, it can lead to unilateral or bilateral limb weakness, numbness, pain, and possibly even trigger hemiplegia.

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The etiology of glioma

At present, there is no definitive conclusion regarding the specific causes of glioma. Clinically, it is generally considered the result of a combination of congenital genetic factors and acquired environmental factors. Usually, it is believed that there is a significant familial aggregation tendency in the family medical history of patients with gliomas, with a higher incidence of gliomas among family members. Additionally, acquired factors, such as severe cranial trauma followed by extensive proliferation of neuroglial cells, may induce incidents. Furthermore, severe intracranial infections, including unhealthy lifestyles, poor living environments, and the influence of radioactive materials, could potentially lead to the occurrence of gliomas.