Glioma
- Causes and Risk Factors
What causes glioma?
The exact causes of most gliomas are not fully understood, but research suggests they may begin when genetic changes occur in the brain or spinal cord cells. These changes lead to abnormal cell growth and tumour formation, with some gliomas eventually becoming cancerous and invade healthy cells.
What are the risk factors of glioma?
Several factors have been identified as risk factors for glioma:
Age
The risk of developing gliomas increases with age and is most common in adults between ages 45 and 65. However, certain types, like high-grade gliomas, are more frequently diagnosed in children and young adults.
Genetic predispositions
A small percentage (about 5%) of brain tumour cases are due to inherited genetic conditions, such as:
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and 2, a genetic condition that causes flat and light brow spots and freckles on the skin and tumours to grow on nerve tissues.
- Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome where tumours and cysts grow on certain body parts such as the kidneys, pancreas, brain, spine, inner ear.
- Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, a hereditary condition that is linked with higher risks of a range of childhood- and adult-onset cancers.
Environmental influences
Certain chemicals or substances in work environments have been linked to an increased risk of glioma. For example, being exposed to vinyl chloride may increase the risk of developing gliomas, although no clear evidence has been established.
While many of the risk factors associated with glioma cannot be controlled, understanding them can help with early detection and treatment.
