Optic Glioma Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Optic glioma, or more commonly called optic pathway glioma, is a tumor on the nerves that grows slowly and is a type of benign tumor. This disease is usually experienced by children.
These tumors originate in brain cells called astrocytes. Optic glioma occurs along the optic nerve, which is the nerve that connects the eye to the brain.
Symptoms
Optic glioma causes impaired vision. Some of the symptoms are:
- Blurred vision
- Eyes often flicker
- Cockeye
- Protruding eyes
- Presence of a blind spot (a part of the vision is blurred)
In addition, if the size of the tumor is large enough, these symptoms can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, restlessness, and severe headaches. It can also cause hormonal disturbances that cause early puberty and drastic weight changes (which can be in the form of weight gain or weight loss).
Symptoms that appear at school include children experiencing learning delays and always trying to sit in the front seat.
If optic glioma occurs in people who have an NF-1 genetic disorder, then besides being able to experience optic glioma, it can also occur:
- Skin disorders in the form of brownish patches are called neurofibromas
- Spinal disorders such as scoliosis
- Learning and behavioral disorders, eg dyslexia, hyperactivity
Reason
Until now, the cause of optic glioma is not clearly known. However, a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) has been known to contribute to the emergence of this type of tumor. NF-1 is a genetic disorder that can be passed from parent to child.
Diagnosis
If there is a suspicion of an optic glioma, then the examinations to be carried out are:
- CT- scan of the brain is the initial examination that is first performed to see the presence of a tumor.
- MRI is another radiological examination that can see the shape and size of the tumor more clearly, as well as to determine the stage of the tumor.
- Eye examination, in the form of visual acuity examination, examination of eye pressure with tonometry, examination of the retina with fundoscopy.
- Hormonal examination through blood tests because optic glioma often causes hormonal disturbances.
Treatment
Treatment of optical glioma depends on the severity of the symptoms that occur, depending on the size of the tumor. If the symptoms are mild and the size of the tumor is small, then generally no action is taken, but only periodic observations of symptoms and tumor size are carried out.
This can be done because glioma optic tumors are generally very benign and harmless. In some cases, these tumors even shrink on their own without treatment.
However, if the size of the tumor is large enough and disturbing, then actions that can be taken include:
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Operation
If the size of the tumor is large enough and causes symptoms that are quite severe, then surgery should be considered. However, surgery on optic glioma also has the risk of worsening visual impairment if the operation also removes nerves.
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Chemotherapy and radiation
Chemotherapy and radiation can also be done if the tumor is very disturbing vision. This treatment aims to stop tumor growth and reduce tumor size.
Generally, radiation is given to children over the age of five. Radiation can be done for up to six weeks. Meanwhile, chemotherapy is carried out for months, up to 18 months. This treatment can usually be done on an outpatient basis.
However, chemotherapy in children often causes quite severe side effects. Can be anemia, easy-to-catch heavy infections, vomiting, and lots of mouth sores.
If an optic glioma sufferer has an NF-1 genetic disorder, he should have routine control to the doctor for life to be able to detect skin disorders, bone disorders, and tumors early.
Prevention
Because the exact cause of optic glioma cannot be known, so until now there has been no action that can be taken to prevent this disease.