Gliomas and Glioblastoma Multiforme Symptoms and Treatment

See also the separate Brain Tumours in Children and Brain Tumours in Adults articles.

What are gliomas?

Gliomas are tumours arising from glial cells and may occur in the spinal cord or the brain, the latter being more common. Gliomas are the most common type of brain tumour and (anatomically) they can be either supratentorial or infratentorial.

There are three common types of gliomas, which are classified based on the phenotypic cell characteristics: astrocytomas, ependymomas and oligodendrogliomas.

These are further classified to low-grade, atypical, and high-grade tumours based on cell morphology, mitotic activities, and molecular markers. 

• Astrocytomas^[1]: originate from astrocytes and can be encapsulated, preserving clear borders between normal and tumour cells, or infiltrative, indicating advanced grade. Low grades are common in children, while high grades are common in young adults and older patients. 
• Oligodendrogliomas^[2]: originate from oligodendrocyte cells. These are less infiltrating than astrocytomas and are common in adults. 
• Ependymomas^[3]: originate from ependymal cells which are found lining the ventricular cavities and the central canal of the spinal cord. These are common in paediatric patients.

Classification

Until 2016 gliomas were graded according to their likely rate of growth (grade 1 is the slowest growing and grade 4 is the fastest growing). Grades 1 and 2 were considered low-grade gliomas, well differentiated and usually associated with a better outcome. Grade 3 and 4 gliomas were considered high-grade gliomas, were undifferentiated or anaplastic and with a worse prognosis.

To provide more targeted therapy and better prognostic forecasting, the 2016 WHO classification moves from the former principle of diagnosis based solely on microscopy and integrates phenotypic and genotypic parameters^[4]. Lower-grade gliomas and infiltrating gliomas are classified separately and according to chromosomal or histone mutations - eg, chromosome 1p/19q loss, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH ) mutation and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mutations. Additionally gliomas are classified in grade I to IV based on the degree of proliferation indicated by the mitotic index and the presence or absence of necrosis.

2016 WHO grades of gliomas^[5]

1. Diffuse astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors:

• Diffuse astrocytoma, IDH-mutant  (Grade II).
• Anaplastic astrocytoma, IDH- mutant (Grade III).
• Glioblastoma, IDH wild-type (Grade IV).
• Glioblastoma, IDH wild-type (Grade IV).
• Oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant, and 1p/19q-co-deleted (Grade II).

Anaplastic oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant, and 1p/19q-co-deleted (Grade II).2.

Other astrocytic tumours:

• Pilocytic astrocytoma (Grade I).
• Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (Grade I).
• Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (Grade II).
• Anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (III).

3. Ependymal tumours:

• Subependymoma (Grade I).
• Myxopapillary ependymoma (Grade I).
• Ependymoma (Grade II).
• Ependymoma, RELA fusion-positive ( Grade II or III).
• Anaplastic ependymoma (Grade III).

4. Other gliomas:

• Angiocentric glioma (Grade I).
• Chordoid glioma of the third ventricle (Grade II).

Glioma epidemiology^[6]

• The annual incidence of malignant glioma is 3-5/100,000.
• There is a slight predominance in males.
• Malignant glioma may develop at all ages, but the peak incidence is between 50-60 years.
• Exposure to ionising irradiation has been associated with increased risk of development of glioma.
• Certain hereditary syndromes carry an increased risk for glioma, including neurofibromatosis type 1.
• GBM is the most common glioma to occur in adults, being diagnosed at an average age of 55 years.
• Low-grade astrocytomas tend to be seen in younger adults aged 20-30 and anaplastic astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas typically present in the mid-forties.

Glioma symptoms (presentation)^[7]

Brain tumours present as a space-occupying lesion with symptoms, depending on the size, location and degree of infiltration of the tumour. The following are some features that might be seen:

• Headache - typically worse on waking.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Seizures - especially low-grade astrocytomas.
• Visual disturbance.
• Speech and language problems.
• Changes in cognitive and/or functional ability.
• Acute intracranial haemorrhage, which may rarely occur in association with GBM.

Investigations^[7]

• Involves brain imaging - eg, CT scan and/or MRI scan with or without contrast. GBM typically has ring enhancement.
• Tissue specimens for pathology are usually required (if they are possible to obtain), as there is a large variety of tumours that may occur.

Treatment of glioma involves surgery and may involve additional treatments according to classification^[7]:

• Grade I: these gliomas are surgically curable.
• Grade II: a safe gross total resection and radiographic follow-up are acceptable current practices.
• Grade III: a safe gross total resection, concomitant chemoradiation, and radiographic follow-up for recurrence are an acceptable treatment.
• Grade IV (glioblastoma): a safe gross total resection, concomitant chemoradiation, and radiographic follow-up for recurrence are an acceptable treatment.

Other treatments: high-grade glioma patients are prone to seizures, malignant oedema, and complication related immobility. Therefore, these patients need antiepileptic medications, deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis, and steroids - before, during and after the course of treatments - to avoid cerebral oedema. 

Complications^[6]

Complications include:

• Cerebral oedema and raised intracranial pressure.
• Seizures.
• Thromboembolic events (tumour-induced hypercoagulable state as well as a consequence of neurological deficits, immobilisation and steroid treatment).

Glioma prognosis^[10]

The prognosis of gliomas depends on several factors including: the age of the patient. comorbidities, grade and location of the tumour, presence of hydrocephalus, response to adjuvant therapy and the extent of surgical resection required/achievable.

• Gliomas are associated with a poor prognosis, especially high-grade tumours in older patients. Survival rates of approximately 30% at one year and 14% at two years have been reported.
• Patients with high-grade gliomas have a better prognosis if they are younger, have a better performance status, have a Grade 3 tumour or if complete resection is achieved^[11].
• The median survival of patients with anaplastic astrocytoma is two to three years, and that of patients with GBM approximately one year^[11].
• Low-grade astrocytomas can rarely recur and therefore long-term follow-up is required.