Dallas Glioma Surgery

When a brain tumor forms from the tissue of the brain or spinal cord itself, it is called a primary brain tumor. Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors and they can be life-threatening. However, there are many treatment options for gliomas, and patients who have gliomas diagnosed early enough will have a better chance of removing the tumor completely.

Types of Gliomas

Glioma tumors form in the glial cells, which are supportive cells that surround brain and spinal cord cells and help them function. Glial cells can be found all over the brain and spinal cord, and gliomas can be further classified based on where they form and how they grow.

The different types of gliomas include:

• Astrocytoma – originates from star-shaped brain cells known as astrocytes.
• Ependymoma – originate from ependymal cells, which line the fluid-filled chambers within the brain or spinal cord.
• Glioblastoma– an aggressive cancer that also originates from astrocyte cells.
• Oligodendrogliomas – originate from oligodendrocyte cells, which protect normal brain cells.

Approaches to Treatment

The first thing you and your care team will want to do after discovering a glioma is explore options for removal. Some gliomas are small and can be safely removed from the brain without damaging surrounding tissue. Gliomas that have gotten too large, however, potentially involve important brain structures and cannot be removed safely. In some cases, removing only a portion of the tumor may be possible to help manage the symptoms.

The multidisciplinary team at Methodist Moody Brain and Spine Institute has extensive experiencing treating and removing gliomas. Call (214) 948-2076 for more information.