A brainstem glioma is a primary brain tumor that arises from glial cells and is located in the brainstem.
Epidemiology
Brainstem gliomas account for approximately 4.2% of all gliomas1. Brainstem gliomas occur particularly frequently in children; in adults, gliomas of the brainstem account for approximately 1–2% of all gliomas. Both low-grade and high-grade gliomas can occur in the brainstem, with low-grade gliomas being more common2.
Location
The incidence and aggressiveness of brainstem gliomas vary depending on their location3:
| Location | Incidence among all brainstem gliomas (%) | 5-year survival rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Medulla | 18 | 83 |
| Pons | 59 | 29 |
| Midbrain | 14 | 100 |
| Tectum | 9 | 83 |
Imaging
MRI is the gold standard for imaging brainstem gliomas.
References