Ganglioglioma Detailed Information

A ganglioglioma is a rare type of brain tumor.Approximately 10% of primary brain tumors in
Gangliogliomas are generally well-demarcated andchildren are gangliogliomas. Children with certain
slowly growing tumors. Gangliogliomas are types ofgenetic syndromes, including neurofibromatosis type I
brain tumors that are made of mixed groups of cells.and tuberous sclerosis, are at higher risk of
A cell is the smallest, most basic unit of life that isdeveloping tumors of glial origin, including
capable of existing by it. Gangliogliomas are partlygangliogliomas. The vast majority of children with
made of abnormal glial cells. Glial cells are cells thatgangliogliomas, however, develop these tumors
support and maintain other cells. Gangliogliomas arespontaneously, meaning there is no identifiable cause.
mixed cell tumors containing both neural ganglionicThe most common symptoms of a ganglioglioma,
cells and neural glial cell components. Thehowever each child may experience symptoms
characteristic imaging findings include increased signaldifferently. Common symptoms may comprise
intensity on T2-weighted images with or withoutheadache, vomiting, fatigue and others may
calcifications.experience seizures and weakness on one side of
These tumors frequently do not improve brightly andthe body.
may contain a cystic component. Hemorrhage isThe symptoms of a brain tumor may resemble other
rarely related with gangliogliomas. In adults, 70% ofconditions or medical problems. Treatment of
gangliogliomas are supratentorial with a predilectionganglioglioma may comprise surgery and radiation
for the temporal lobes. The most common agetherapy. Radiation therapy utilizes high-energy rays
gangliogliomas for presentation is in adolescence and(radiation) from a specialized machine to damage or
young adulthood. Gangliogliomas are also partly madedestroy cancer cells and minimize tumors. Your child's
of neurons (nerve cells) that are in different degreestolerance for specific medications, procedures, or
of abnormality. In United States gangliogliomastherapies. Children with gangligliomas may have side
represent approximately 0.4% of central nervouseffects related to the tumor itself and its treatment.
neoplasms and 1.3% of brain tumors. Only 1% ofRadiation therapy may reason swelling related to
intramedullary spinal neoplasms are histologicallytissue inflammation. This inflammation may guide to
gangliogliomas.symptoms of headache or difficulty with coordination.