Definition:
Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare type of brain cancer. It is different from most brain cancers because the cancer causes a tumor, or a lump of the cancer cells. In gliomatosis cerebri, the cancer does not form a mass but forms threads of cancer cells that scatter around the brain.
Diagnosis:
A number of medical procedures are done to diagnose gliomatosis cerebri, including MRI and CT scans, and a physical examination. A tissue sample from the cancer is also tested through a biopsy, because determining the condition is very difficult in itself.
Treatment:
Radiation therapy is the treatment of choice for gliomatosis cerebri. The high-energy rays from the radiation may be able to kill or shrink tumors and cancer cells. But because the disease is spreads fast around the brain, radiation therapy is often used to just slow down the cancer. Chemotherapy treatments are also used, including temozolomide or PCV.
Symptoms and Signs:
Gliomatosis cerebri presents with any or a number of the following symptoms: recurrent headaches, cognitive and behavioral problems, nausea, hydrocephalus, cranial nerve paresis, pressure inside the skull, seizures, impaired memory, dementia, vision problems, speech problems, personality changes, motor dysfunction, and weakness.
Causes:
The causes of gliomatosis cerebri remain unknown.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
