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Optic glioma   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Glioma - optic

Definition:

Optic glioma is a mass created by growth of abnormal cells, or uncontrolled proliferation of cells, in one optic nerve, both optic nerves, the optic chiasm or in conjunction with hypothalamic glioma.

Causes and Risks

Optic glioma is classified as an astrocytoma. Most are composed of low grade pilocytic astrocytes. Optic gliomas cause symptoms by invasion (pressure) and displacement (destruction) of normal optic nerve tissue. An early sign of the presence of an optic glioma is painless proptosis. They may also result in progressive loss of vision in one or both eyes. The cause of optic glioma is unknown. Tumors may occur at any age but the incidence is higher in children. Optic glioma and other astrocytomas are rare; however, astrocytomas in general are the most common primary brain tumors in adults. There is a strong association between optic glioma and neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1).

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