Glioma symptoms depend on the location of the glioma. Symptoms also may depend on the type of glioma, its size and how quickly it's growing.

Common signs and symptoms of gliomas include:

• Headache, particularly one that hurts the most in the morning.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Confusion or a decline in brain function, such as problems with thinking and understanding information.
• Memory loss.
• Personality changes or irritability.
• Vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision.
• Speech difficulties.
• Seizures, especially in someone who hasn't had seizures before.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have any signs and symptoms that worry you.

Doctors aren't sure what causes glioma. It starts when cells in the brain or spinal cord develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do.

The DNA changes tell the cells to make more cells quickly. The cells continue living when healthy cells would die. This causes too many cells that don't work right. The cells form a mass called a tumor.

The tumor can grow to press on nearby nerves and parts of the brain or spinal cord. This leads to glioma symptoms and can cause complications.

Some gliomas develop more changes in their DNA that cause them to become brain cancers. The changes tell the cells to invade and destroy healthy brain tissue.

In glioma, the tumor cells look similar to healthy brain cells called glial cells. The glial cells surround and support nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Things that can increase the risk of glioma include:

• Getting older. Gliomas are most common in adults between ages 45 and 65 years old. But glioma can happen at any age. Certain types of gliomas are more common in children and young adults.
• Being exposed to radiation. People who have been exposed to a type of radiation called ionizing radiation have an increased risk of glioma. One example of ionizing radiation is radiation therapy used to treat cancer.
• Having a family history of glioma. Glioma can run in families, but this is very rare. More research is needed to understand whether parents can pass a risk of glioma to their children.

Researchers haven't found anything you can do to prevent glioma.

Little research has been done on complementary and alternative glioma treatments. No alternative treatments have been proved to cure gliomas. However, complementary treatments may help you cope with your glioma and its treatment. Complementary treatments also are called integrative treatments. They can be used at the same time as traditional treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Ask your health care team if you're interested in trying complementary treatments such as:

• Acupuncture.
• Hypnosis.
• Meditation.
• Music therapy.
• Relaxation exercises.

A glioma diagnosis can be overwhelming and frightening. It can make you feel like you have little control over your health. But you can take steps to cope with the shock and grief that may come after your diagnosis. Consider trying to:

• Learn enough about gliomas to make decisions about your care. Ask your health care team about your specific type of brain tumor, including your treatment options and, if you like, your prognosis. As you learn more about brain tumors, you may become more confident in making treatment decisions.
• Keep friends and family close. Keeping your close relationships strong will help you deal with your brain tumor. Friends and family can provide the practical support you'll need, such as helping take care of your home if you're in the hospital. And they can serve as emotional support when you feel overwhelmed by cancer.
• Find someone to talk with. Find a good listener who is willing to listen to you talk about your hopes and fears. This may be a friend or family member. The concern and understanding of a counselor, medical social worker, clergy member or cancer support group also may be helpful. Ask your health care team about support groups in your area. Or connect with others online through groups, such as the National Brain Tumor Society and others.

See your usual health care provider if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you. If you're diagnosed with a glioma, you may be referred to specialists, such as:

• Doctors who specialize in brain disorders, who are called neurologists.
• Doctors who treat cancer with medicine, who are called medical oncologists.
• Doctors who use radiation to treat cancer, who are called radiation oncologists.
• Doctors who specialize in nervous system cancers, who are called neuro-oncologists.
• Surgeons who operate on the brain and nervous system, who are called neurosurgeons.
• Rehabilitation specialists.

Brain tumor treatment can be complex. Few hospitals are used to caring for a lot of people with brain tumors. If you don't feel comfortable with the care at your local facility, consider seeking a second opinion at a more experienced cancer center. Ask your health care provider for a referral.

It's a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready.

What you can do

• Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
• Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you're taking.
• Consider taking a family member or friend along. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot. This person can be your advocate and help you understand the information you receive from your health care team.
• Write down questions to ask your health care provider. A written list of questions and concerns is helpful when you're feeling overwhelmed. There's a lot of information to process and consider when you're dealing with a serious illness. It's easy to forget the questions you wanted to ask.

Your time with your health care provider is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For a brain tumor such as glioma, some basic questions to ask include:

• What type of brain tumor do I have?
• Where is my brain tumor located?
• How large is my glioma?
• How aggressive is my brain tumor?
• Is my glioma cancerous?
• Will I need additional tests?
• What are my treatment options?
• Can any treatments cure my glioma?
• What are the benefits and risks of each treatment?
• Is there one treatment you feel is best for me?
• Is there a clinical trial available to treat my type of glioma? Is it appropriate for me?
• How will treatment affect my daily activities, such as walking, talking and speaking?
• Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
• Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
• How often should I have checkups?

Note the three questions that are most important to you so you can be sure to get those answered if the time is limited. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask, don't hesitate to ask other questions that occur to you.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may allow time later to cover other points you want to address. Your provider may ask:

• When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
• Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?