Gliomas

About Gliomas

Gliomas are not a specific type of brain tumor. Glioma is a general term for tumors that start in glial cells. A number of tumors can be considered gliomas, including:

Astrocytomas (which include glioblastomas)
Oligodendrogliomas
Ependymomas

About 3 out of 10 of all brain tumors are gliomas. Most fast-growing brain tumors are gliomas.

Symptoms

The symptoms of glioma vary by tumor type as well as the tumor's size, location and rate of growth.

Common signs and symptoms of gliomas include:

Confusion or a decline in brain function
Difficulty with balance
Headache
Memory loss
Nausea or vomiting
Personality changes or irritability
Seizures, especially in someone without a history of seizures
Speech difficulties
Urinary incontinence
Vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision

Risk Factors

Like most primary brain tumors, the exact cause of gliomas is not known. But there are some factors that may increase your risk of a brain tumor. Risk factors include:

Exposure to radiation
Family history of glioma
Older age