Glioma Diagnosis & Treatment View a video presentation on
diagnosis and tretment of gliomas from glioma expert Dr. Jay
Zhu. What Is a Glioma? A glioma is a brain tumor that begins in
a glial cell in the brain or spinal cord. Gliomas affect all
ages and are the most common type of brain tumor in adults. They
are often resistant to treatment. Glial cells, the most common
cellular component of the brain, surround and support neurons.
Unlike neurons, glial cells can divide and multiply. When this
process occurs in a rapid and uncontrolled manner, a glioma
forms. Types of Glioma There are several types of glial cells
including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells.
Each of these types of cells produce gliomas with distinct
characteristics. Brain tumors are generally named and classified
according to the types of brain cells from which they originate
or from the location in which the cancer develops. The names of
gliomas identify the type of glial cell associated with that
tumor. Astrocytomas are primar