Growing Gliomas

Understanding how a tumor develops is the closet one can get to understanding the how a glioma is formed. The etiology (cause) of this cancer is actually poorly understood and therefore there is not much information that I can use to help explain the "why" of glioma growth in the brain. As discussed in a previous post, tumors develop because of abnormal cell growth. New cells form when they are not needed or older cells do not die as planned. The accumulation of these cells is what makes up the tumor. Simply put, a glioma is a tumor. Although the cause for gliomas is largely unknown, certain genetic risk factors and radiation exposure may play a role in their formation and progression.

The video below is a visual that provides information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of brain tumors. Although the video focuses on brain tumors in general, it is accurate and easy to understand.






Sources:

Brain Tumor-Brain Cancer-Causes and Symptoms-Brain Tumors-Metastatic-DiagnosisSurgery-Teraphy. (2013, December 8). Retrieved January 23, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HUTDs2q4Tk

Brain tumor - primary - adults: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (2013, October 30). Retrieved January 23, 2015, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007222.htm

Dr. Bruce, J. (2014, May 2). Glioblastoma Multiforme . Retrieved January 25, 2015, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/283252-overview