Wiki has a pretty good definition, so will start with them.
A glioma is a type of primary central nervous system (CNS) tumor that arises from glial cells.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GliomaWhat are "glial cells"? There are lots of glia, or glial cells, in the CNS, and they do lots of things to support neurons. Neurons are the nerve impulse parts of the CNS. Glia are the support for them.
Glial cells, commonly called neuroglia or simply glia (Greek for "glue"), are non-neuronal cells that provide support and nutrition, maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and participate in signal transmission in the nervous system. In the human brain, glia are estimated to outnumber neurons by about 10 to 1.<1>
Glial cells provide support and protection for neurons, the other main type of cell in the nervous system. They are thus known as the "glue" of the nervous system. The four main functions of glial cells are to surround neurons and hold them in place, to supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons, to insulate one neuron from another, and to destroy pathogens and remove dead neurons.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliahttp://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/glia.html The brain is made up of more than just nerve cells (neurons). Although there are about 100 billion neurons in the brain, there are about 10 to 50 times that many glial cells in the brain. But do you hear much about glia? NO! Because neurons get all the attention, you don't hear too much about glia. Although glia cells DO NOT carry nerve impulses (action potentials) they do have many important functions. In fact, without glia, the neurons would not work properly!
Types and Functions of Glia
* Astrocyte (Astroglia): Star-shaped cells that provide physical and nutritional support for neurons: 1) clean up brain "debris"; 2) transport nutrients to neurons; 3) hold neurons in place; 4) digest parts of dead neurons; 5) regulate content of extracellular space
* Microglia: Like astrocytes, microglia digest parts of dead neurons.
* Oligodendroglia: Provide the insulation (myelin) to neurons in the central nervous system.
* Satellite Cells: Physical support to neurons in the peripheral nervous system.
* Schwann Cells: Provide the insulation (myelin) to neurons in the peripheral nervous system
Gliomas can be of different types, depending on which type cell is involved, which type is multiplying rapidly, has become cancerous.
Gliomas are graded into malignant and benign. Malignant are worse, have reverted to a faster growing form of the cells. Overall, few patients survive beyond 3 years.
Mayo Clinic in MN has some good info on types, diagnosis, treatment, etc.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/glioma/About Gliomas (Primary Brain Tumors)
A tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells. Tumors found in the brain typically are categorized as primary or secondary. Gliomas (primary brain tumors) start in the brain or spinal cord tissue. They can spread within the nervous system but do not spread outside the nervous system. Gliomas can be either benign (slow growing) or malignant (fast growing). Annually, about 17,000 Americans are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor.
Brain tumors can be challenging to treat, but many are treated successfully. Also, new technology helps physicians target tumors more precisely. Innovative treatments under investigation offer hope for the future.
For those who would like to read more, Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch has info on types, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
http://www.cinn.org/tumor/diagnoses/glioma-tumor.htmlEdited to add, best of luck Sen Kennedy, and all who have cancer. And thank you Sen Kennedy.
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