What is Anaplastic Ganglioglioma of the Brain?
Anaplastic ganglioglioma is a rare type of tumour that arises from neuronal and glial cells in the brain and spinal cord. Neurons, or neuronal cells, are cells that use electrical impulses and chemical signals to communicate information between different areas of the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body. Glial cells of the brain and spinal cord, or those cells that surround neuronal cells.Disease Causes
There is no well-known cause, however, certain hereditary and genetic mutations are considered responsible for the development of anaplastic ganglioglioma.Disease Epidemiology
Anaplastic ganglioglioma accounts for approximately 1.3% of all brain cancers. It is usually common in children and young adults. Anaplastic ganglioglioma is more common in males as compared to females.Signs and Symptoms
The patient may suffer from the following signs and symptoms. These are- Headache
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Double vision
- Vertigo
- Seizures (sudden uncontrolled changes in movements, feelings, or level of consciousness)
- One-sided vision loss
- Progressive impairment in memory and thinking
- Numbness feeling on the face
- In advanced cases, the patient may suffer from fever, night sweats, and weight loss
Diagnosis
The following diagnostic tests and procedures can be used to make a diagnosis. These are- Imaging tests such as X-Ray, CT-scan (computerized tomography), PET-scan (Positron emission tomography) help detect the site, size, and location of the tumour.
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Lumbar Puncture
- Tumour biopsy and histopathological examination