About Gliomas
There are several types of gliomas, but some of the more common types are astrocytomas and glioblastomas.
Astrocytoma
Astrocytoma tumors are a form of glioma with star-shaped cells called astrocytes. Astrocytoma is a type of glioma or tumor that starts in cells that support nerve cells in the brain or the spinal cord. They are typically detected through slowly increasing signs of mental dysfunction along with other symptoms, but because some of these tumors grow very slowly or not at all over time, close observation rather than treatment is often possible.
Glioblastomas
Glioblastoma is a relatively rare form of cancer, occurring in one out of every 10,000 cancer cases, but accounts for about 16% of primary brain cancers. Glioblastoma is aggressive cancer that grows quickly and can form in the brain or spinal cord and occurs more often in older adults, although it can be present at any age. While glioblastomas are difficult to treat because they often contain several types of cancer cells and there is no cure, there are options available to help ease symptoms and prolong prognoses.
Treatment for Gliomas in Tampa Bay
Treatment of gliomas depends on the location and nature of the tumor as well as how fast it is growing. Typically, a combination of treatment approaches is used, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is usually required to treat astrocytoma, glioblastomas, and other gliomas. We treat all types of gliomas at Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology and offer several options including intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, and CyberKnife® radiotherapy. Your Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology treatment team will walk with you through each step of your cancer treatment journey. The trained and experienced physicians and staff at Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology will answer all of your questions, help you feel comfortable, and let you know what’s next. They’ll review all the information available and talk with you about options. Once you and your physician jointly decide on a path forward, we’ll design a treatment plan that works best for your situation.
Symptoms of Gliomas
Symptoms of astrocytoma and other gliomas occur as the result of increasing pressure on the skull as the tumor grows. Gliomas that occur in the brain can cause seizures, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and changes in mental status. Other symptoms may include lethargy, drowsiness, and cognitive impairment. In some cases, particularly with young children, gliomas may cause swelling or enlargement of the head. If any of these symptoms are experienced or observed, a neurologist or doctor with special training will perform a complete neurologic evaluation which may include an MRI or CT scan as well as other tests to determine the type of tumor and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.
Contact Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology today for more information about our cancer specialists, gliomas, astrocytoma, glioblastomas, and treatment options. Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology has multiple Florida facilities located in the Tampa Bay area in Tampa and Brandon.