Learn About Optic Glioma
Gliomas are tumors that grow in various parts of the brain. Optic gliomas can affect:
- One or both of the optic nerves that carry visual information to the brain from each eye
- The optic chiasm, the area where the optic nerves cross each other in front of the hypothalamus of the brain
An optic glioma may also grow along with a hypothalamic glioma.
Glioma - optic; Optic nerve glioma; Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma; Brain cancer - optic glioma
Optic gliomas are rare. The cause of optic gliomas is unknown. Most optic gliomas are slow-growing and noncancerous (benign) and occur in children, almost always before age 20. Most cases are diagnosed by 5 years of age.
There is a strong association between optic glioma and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).
The symptoms are due to the tumor growing and pressing on the optic nerve and nearby structures. Symptoms may include:
- Involuntary eyeball movement
- Outward bulging of one or both eyes
- Squinting
- Vision loss in one or both eyes that starts with the loss of peripheral vision and eventually leads to blindness
The child may show symptoms of diencephalic syndrome, which includes:
- Daytime sleeping
- Decreased memory and brain function
- Headaches
- Delayed growth
- Loss of body fat
- Vomiting
Treatment varies with the size of the tumor and the general health of the person. The goal may be to cure the disorder, relieve symptoms, or improve vision and comfort.
Surgery to remove the tumor may cure some optic gliomas. Partial removal to reduce the size of the tumor can be done in many cases. This will keep the tumor from damaging normal brain tissue around it. Chemotherapy may be used in some children. Chemotherapy may be especially useful when the tumor extends into the hypothalamus or if vision has been worsened by the tumor's growth.
Radiation therapy may be recommended in some cases when the tumor is growing despite chemotherapy, and surgery is not possible. In some cases, radiation therapy may be delayed because the tumor is slow growing. Children with NF1 usually won't receive radiation due to the side effects.
Corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce swelling and inflammation during radiation therapy, or if symptoms return.
David Gutmann is a Neurologist in Saint Louis, Missouri. Dr. Gutmann is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Optic Glioma. His top areas of expertise are Optic Glioma, Neurofibromatosis, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), and Glioma.
Robert Avery is a Neurologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Avery is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Optic Glioma. His top areas of expertise are Optic Glioma, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), Neurofibromatosis, Increased Intracranial Pressure, and Thymectomy.
Penn Pituitary Center
Grant Liu is a Neurologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Liu is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Optic Glioma. His top areas of expertise are Increased Intracranial Pressure, Papilledema, Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome, Thymectomy, and Cataract Removal. Dr. Liu is currently accepting new patients.
Organizations that provide support and additional information include:
- Children's Oncology Group -- www.childrensoncologygroup.org
- Neurofibromatosis Network -- www.nfnetwork.org
The outlook is very different for each person. Early treatment improves the chance of a good outcome. Careful follow-up with a care team experienced with this type of tumor is important.
Once vision is lost from the growth of an optic tumor, it may not return.
Normally, the growth of the tumor is very slow, and the condition remains stable for long periods. However, the tumor can continue to grow, so it must be monitored closely.
Contact your health care provider for any vision loss, painless bulging of the eye, or other symptoms of this condition.
Genetic counseling may be advised for people with NF1. Regular eye exams may allow early diagnosis of these tumors before they cause symptoms.
Summary: The first proton therapy treatments in the Netherlands have taken place in 2018. Due to the physical properties of protons, proton therapy has tremendous potential to reduce the radiation dose to the healthy, tumour-surrounding tissues. In turn, this leads to less radiation-induced complications, and a decrease in the formation of secondary tumours. The Netherlands has spearheaded the development ...
Summary: Optic pathway glioma (OPG) can result in visual deterioration. Symptomatic patients often report deficits in visual acuity (VA), visual field, visual-evoked potentials (VEPs), strabismus, proptosis, disc swelling, and other visual/neurological problems. VA itself remains one of the most important outcome measures for OPG patients, with various studies showing strong ties of VA level to overall qua...
Published Date: December 31, 2023
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Olitsky SE, Marsh JD. Abnormalities of the optic nerve. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 649.
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