What is a tectal glioma?
A tectal glioma is a low-grade, slow-growing brain tumor in the tectum, the roof of the brain stem. The brain stem controls vital body functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Despite their origin in a critical part of the body, tectal gliomas have a very high cure rate, and the long-term prognosis is usually excellent. Most children with tectal gliomas develop these brain tumors between the ages of 3 and 16. Tectal gliomas tend to develop spontaneously, which means that there is no known environmental or genetic factor that doctors suspect could have caused the tumor to grow.
Low-grade gliomas are a family of brain tumors that are typically non-malignant and rarely aggressive. The tumors originate in glial cells, which support and nourish neurons in the brain.
How we care for tectal gliomas
Children with tectal gliomas are treated at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center through our Glioma Program — one of the world’s largest pediatric glioma treatment programs. Our internationally recognized pediatric brain tumor specialists have extensive expertise in treating all types of gliomas, including tectal gliomas. Our glioma specialists — a team of neuro-oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, and radiation oncologists — focus solely on the care of children diagnosed with gliomas. Our program also offers families the chance to have their child's tumor molecularly profiled (as long as a biopsy can be taken), which may help identify opportunities for precision medicine.
Learn more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of tectal gliomas on the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute website.
Tectal Gliomas | Programs & Services
Programs
Brain Tumor Center
Program
The Brain Tumor Center at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is a world-renowned destination for children with malignant and non-malignant brain and spinal cord tumors.
Glioma Program
Program
The Glioma Program is one of the world’s largest pediatric glioma treatment programs.
Departments
Neurology
Department
The Department of Neurology cares for infants, children, and adolescents with all types of neurologic and developmental disorders.
Neurosurgery
Department
The Department of Neurosurgery serves children with disorders of the brain, spine, and nervous system.
