What is optic pathway glioma?

Also known as: OPG, optic nerve glioma, optic pathway tumor.

Glioma is a specific type of slow growing tumor that starts in one of the cells of the brain or spinal cord. When this tumor grows on or around the visual system (the conducting pathway that sends signals from the eyes to the brain which includes the optic nerve, optic tract, the chasm and the optic radiation and which allows a child to “see” images) it is known as an optic pathway glioma. Most are diagnosed in children less than 5 years of age.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM