Brain Stem Glioma Treatment by Type

Brain stem glioma treatment by type includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and watchful waiting. For example, brain stem glioma treatment by type for focal or low-grade glioma may include surgery or cerebrospinal fluid diversion, followed by careful observation (watchful waiting). Radiation therapy is often used as a diffuse intrinsic brain stem glioma treatment.

 

Brain Stem Glioma Treatment by Type: An Overview

For childhood brain stem glioma, the tumors are described by type. The different types of brain stem glioma include:
 
  • Diffuse intrinsic glioma -- which is a tumor that has spread widely throughout the brain stem
  • Focal or low-grade glioma -- which is a tumor that is localized to one area of the brain stem
  • Recurrent brain stem glioma -- which is a tumor that has come back after it has been treated.
     
If childhood brain stem glioma recurs, it may do so many years after the initial treatment. The tumor may come back in the brain or in other areas of the central nervous system.
 
Brain Stem Glioma Treatment by Type: Diffuse Intrinsic Brain Stem Glioma
In most cases, diffuse intrinsic brain stem glioma treatment includes radiation therapy.
 
Brain Stem Glioma Treatment by Type: Focal or Low-Grade Glioma
Standard treatment for focal or low-grade glioma may include surgery or cerebrospinal fluid diversion, followed by careful observation (also called watchful waiting). Watchful waiting is closely monitoring a patient's condition but withholding treatment until symptoms appear or change. Treatment of brain stem glioma in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 may include watchful waiting because these tumors tend to be slow-growing and may not need specific treatment for years.
(Brain Stem Glioma Treatment by Type Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD