Glioma

The astocytoma is locally invasive and acts like a malignant tumor but only very rarely spreads to other parts of the body. The tumor often causes problems with the brain such as seizures or stroke like symptoms, and headaches. A CT scan is usually the first test to determine the existance and location of the tumor. If the CT scan does not give the doctor enough information an MRI will most likely be ordered to see how extensive the tumor is.

The nature of the growth of a glioma tumor can be compared to the tenticles of an octapus spreading throughout the brain, rather than like a lump similar to a golf ball.

Normally what happens is after being seen by your regular physician and having a CT scan set up, your regular physician will send you to a specialist, a neurosurgeon, who will then do more extensive testing to determine what the exact cause is, and how to best treat it. Surgery is nearly always needed to find out exactly what the lesion is and the best way to treat it. You may either have a biopsy - where only a sample is taken and examined by a pathologist - or a complete removal of the lesion or tumor depending on where it is located within the brain.

Second, you will be started on specific medications to reduce swelling around the lesion and prevent at least some of the symptoms. Usually your symptoms of headache and weakness will improve. You might also be put in an anti-epileptic drug to either control or prevent seizures.