A diagnosis of glioma can raise many questions, and it can be helpful to know a little more about your treatment options, recovery time and other frequently asked questions. One of the first questions to cross your mind may have been, “Is glioma curable?” The following information will help you better understand your condition so you can feel more at ease and focus on your recovery.
About Glioma
A glioma is a type of tumor that develops from special cells within the brain called astrocytes. There are different categories of gliomas, referred to as grades I through IV. The grade of a tumor is determined by a pathologist, who looks at a small piece of the tumor under a microscope to see how aggressive it is. Grade I tumors are the least aggressive, while grade IV tumors are the most aggressive.
Glioma Treatment Options
Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan based on a number of factors, including your tumor grade and overall health condition. Tumor grade typically plays the biggest role. This is because each grade of glioma tumor has different types of cells present and different characteristics, which means each respond differently to various forms of treatment.
Grade I and II Glioma
A grade I and II gliomas are benign and typically slow growing, with grade II being slightly more aggressive. If you are not experiencing any symptoms, your doctor may recommend a follow-up and monitoring approach before active treatment. Should the tumor show any signs of growth, then your doctor would reassess and determine a treatment plan.
However, many doctors prefer to go ahead and treat the glioma at this stage, especially if it is an easily accessible location. This approach proactively eradicates the tumor before it has a chance to grow.
Most patients will undergo surgical removal of the tumor. Depending on the diagnosis, this may be followed by radiation therapy to destroy any remaining tumor cells. Some patients with very small tumors or who are not surgical candidates may be treated with radiation therapy alone. Additionally, if you have a grade II glioma that is at high risk for transformation, your doctor may also recommend adjunct chemotherapy treatment.
Grade III and IV Glioma
Grade III and IV glioma tumors are malignant, which means they have the potential to spread very aggressively. Because of their potential for invasion and spread, grade III and IV glioma tumors are treated immediately without a “watch and wait” option.
If you have a grade III or IV glioma, your doctor will likely recommend you undergo surgical removal, followed by a six-week course of radiation therapy. In either case, you will also undergo chemotherapy and will often be prescribed Temozolomide (Temodar), which is a pill taken daily and is generally well-tolerated by most patients.
The difference in the treatment of grade III and IV glioma is when you will begin your chemotherapy. If your glioma is grade III, you will begin your chemotherapy following your radiation. However, if your glioma is grade IV, you will begin chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
After your diagnosis, you likely have many questions, and chances are, other patients have the same concerns. The following information will help address some potential questions. However, it’s important you discuss any questions you have with your personal doctor, who can provide you with specific answers for your individual situation.
Is glioma curable?
Glioma is highly treatable, and many patients respond very well to glioma treatment. Generally speaking, the lower grade your tumor, the better your prognosis and the less chance there is of the tumor recurring.
Am I going to die?
It is important you keep a positive glioma outlook through this difficult process. There are many treatment options available, and there have been improvements in the understanding and treatment of brain cancers of all forms.
What do I have to do to get better?
First, find a doctor to work with through this process who can help develop the most appropriate treatment for your individual situation. Continue to educate yourself about your condition. This can help you know what to expect throughout the process and help provide peace of mind.
