Gliomas are the most common tumors of the central nervous system – symptoms, diagnosis and therapy

Gliomas are the most common tumors of the central nervous system, accounting for 30-50% of braintumors. They develop from the supporting and nourishing tissue of the nerve cells (the so-called glial cells) and are commonly found in the brain. However, they can also occur in the area of the spinal cord and the cranial nerves. Each year, about 7-11 in 100,000 people develop a glioma.

Depending on the location of the tumor, different symptoms may occur, such as headaches, mental impairment, epileptic seizures, speech disorders or paralysis. The World Health Organization classifies gliomas into four grades based on histological characteristics: WHO grade I corresponds to a slow-growing tumor with a favorable prognosis, while WHO grade IV refers to a fast-growing tumor with an unfavorable prognosis. This rough classification is supplemented by further characteristics. Put simply, the tumor is named after the tissue from which it originates, e.g. pilocytic astrocytoma, ependymoma, hemangioblastoma, oligodendroglioma, glioblastoma and others. Based on the genetic characteristics of a tumor, its “molecular pathological fingerprint” can also be created, which allows for patient-specific treatment approaches.

The diagnosis of a glioma is confirmed by histological examination. This requires a surgical procedure. For high-grade tumors, the standard treatment usually involves the removal of the tumor, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. For low-grade gliomas, only the growth and symptoms are closely monitored. Other tumor diseases, however, require adjuvant, i.e. additional or supportive, therapy.

According to the current state of science, most gliomas still cannot be cured completely, so that glioblastomas in particular are associated with early mortality. However, over the last 20 years, significantly longer survival times have been shown, particularly as a result of combined postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In the future, tumor surface research will also provide further promising treatment approaches.

Further information can be found at:

PubMed (NIH)
Neurochirurgie Zentrum Zürich
Krebsliga Schweiz
Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie
Swiss Neuro-Oncology Society
Swiss Neurological Society
Stiftung Schweiz
Swiss Brain Tumor Foundation
Understanding findings in glioblastomas
Beacon for rare diseases