Cutting-Edge Surgical Approaches to Glioma at IBS Hospital

Question

What is Glioma & Glioblastoma?

Answer 1

Glioma is listed among the most common types of primary brain tumors, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all tumors originating within the brain. It is an umbrella term used for a wide range of malignancies that originate from glial cells, responsible for providing support and protection to neurons.

Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive type of glioma, accounts for nearly half of all gliomas. Also referred to as glioblastoma multiforme, these tumors tend to grow very rapidly and are most likely to affect people in the age group of 45 to 70 years.

Answer 2

Both Gliomas and Glioblastomas can lead to a variety of symptoms, which differ based on the Tumors location, size, grade, and other factors. As with any other brain tumor, a classic symptom is an unusual headache that worsens over time.

Other common symptoms associated with Gliomas or Glioblastomas include:

Seizures
Fatigue and weakness
Confusion
Numbness or tingling sensation in one part of the body
Loss of balance
Memory loss
Lack of coordination
Abrupt mood swings
Vision problems

Answer 3

The exact cause of Glioma or Glioblastoma is often unidentified, though certain genetic mutations are known to trigger the uncontrolled cell multiplication that leads to these tumors.

Several risk factors have been associated with an increased incidence of Glioblastomas, including:

Abnormal genes
Exposure to ionizing radiation

Answer 4

Gliomas and Glioblastomas, like most other brain tumors, are commonly diagnosed with imaging techniques such as:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Computed Tomography (CT scan)
However, to precisely identify and confirm a glioma diagnosis, a surgical resection of the tumor may be necessary.

Answer 5

Patients with Glioma and Glioblastoma have both surgical and non-surgical treatment options available. The standard method for tumor removal is keyhole craniotomy, often followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy. At IBS Hospital, we utilize advanced neuro-navigation technology and state-of-the-art motor mapping Quicktome facilities, enabling us to remove these tumors with enhanced precision and accuracy.