Low-Grade Gliomas

Also known as: mixed glioma, astrocytoma, ependymoma, optic glioma, gliomatosis cerebri

What is a low-grade glioma?

Glioma is a form of cancer that develops in the glial cells of the brain. This is tissue in the brain that holds the neurons in place and helps them work properly. There are several different forms of glioma, and the location and symptoms of the cancer will vary based on what types of glial cells it impacts.

Low-grade glioma refers to a grade 1 or grade 2 glioma that is highly treatable.

What causes low-grade glioma?

It’s unclear exactly what causes low-grade glioma to occur.

What are the symptoms of low-grade glioma?

Symptoms can vary based on the type of glioma. Some common symptoms of low-grade glioma can include:

seizures
headaches
speech problems
numbness or weakness in the face, legs or arms
confusion
difficulty with balance
behavioral changes

What are low-grade glioma care options?

When possible, surgery is used to remove the low-grade glioma from the brain. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also frequently used to shrink the tumor or surrounding cancer and stop its spread to other parts of the body.

Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: May 22, 2023 11:18 AM