What is a gangliogliom?

Ganglioglioma is a very rare tumor that is most common in children or young adults. This can also be called gangliocytoma or ganglioneom. This type of tumor comes from groups of nerve cells called ganglia and most often occurs in the brain, but may also occur in the spine. In treatment, people who have a ganglioglioma have a survival rate of 80 percent or more.

Although some scientists believe that people who have some genetic disorder a person may have a ganglioglioma for years before the tumor detection. Symptoms may include seizures, headaches, skull pressure, lethargy, vomiting, nausea and impaired movement on one side of the body. Ganglioglioma can be detected by magnetic resonance (MRI), computer tomography scanning (CAT), electroencephalog or combination of these three.

After confirming the diagnosis using biopsy, trjal usually focuses on complete removal of the tumor, leading patients to the survival rate of almost 100 percent. These types of tumors areUsually small, benign and slow growing, which in some cases allows complete removal. If the surgeon cannot completely remove the tumor, the patient may need radiation therapy. The ganglioglioma often does not grow back when it is completely removed, but a person who has been treated for this type of tumor would probably undergo a regular MRI to ensure that no traces are present.

People who underwent surgery to remove ganglioglioma are often prescribed steroids to master brain swelling and tissues after the procedure. After the patient has recovered from surgery, he can often experience relief from any pressure, headaches, seizures or loss of movement previously caused by a tumor. If the tumor grows back after removal or if the remaining part of the tumor increases the size, the doctor may prescribe radiation therapy at the tumor site. Patients who have to receive radiation therapy can experience swellingY tissue, headaches and reduced coordination as side effects.