What does MG mean in ONCOLOGY

Malignant glioma is an aggressive form of brain cancer that develops from astrocytic cells. It can spread quickly throughout the brain or spinal cord, creating lesions in other parts of the body. Malignant gliomas are typically grade three or four tumors, which means they are more likely to grow and spread than lower-grade tumors.

Anyone can develop a malignant glioma, but certain people may be at an increased risk. Factors such as age, gender, and family history may influence a person's likelihood of developing this form of cancer. People over the age of 55 are more likely to develop this type of tumor, while men are slightly more likely than women to have it. Additionally, those with a family history of malignant gliomas have an increased risk for developing one themselves.

The symptoms associated with malignant gliomas may vary depending on where the tumor is located in the brain or on its size. Patients may experience headaches, nausea/vomiting, changes in vision or behavior, seizures, muscle weakness or coordination issues, memory loss, or speech difficulty. Other symptoms may include personality changes or difficulty concentrating. If these symptoms occur suddenly or become worse over time, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

Malignant gliomas are usually diagnosed after imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs have been performed on the patient's head and neck area. These tests allow doctors to see if there are any abnormal growths in the brain that might indicate a tumor present. In addition to imaging tests, doctors will also use biopsies to confirm whether the growth is benign or a malignancy and determine its grading level (which ranges from 1-4).

Treatment options depend on what stage the tumor has reached and how aggressive it is determined to be during diagnosis. In general terms, treatments can involve surgery (to remove all/part of the tumor), radiation therapy (to kill cancer cells), chemotherapy (to slow down tumor growth), immunotherapy (to stimulate immune system response against cancer cells) or targeted drug therapy (to specifically target cancer cells). Additionally there are some clinical trials available that offer experimental therapies and treatments not yet approved by regulators but still show promise against tumors like these.