The Wellington Neurological Rehabilitation Centre
The Wellington Hospital North Building NW8 6PD London
Glioma brain tumours
Leading HCA neurosurgeons can diagnose and remove a glioma brain tumour using advanced techniques
About gliomas
Gliomas are brain tumours starting from the glial cells, which support the neurons/nerve cells in the brain.
There are three types:
- Astrocytoma: develops from cells of the brain supporting the nerve cells
- Oligodendroglioma: develops from a fatty white substance surrounding nerves
- Ependymoma: come from the fluid filled areas of the brain
Need to know
Gliomas can be slow (low grade) or fast growing (high grade). Common signs and symptoms of gliomas include: seizures and headaches confusion and memory loss vision and speechproblems difficulty balancing incontinence mood swings and irritability
A consultant neurologist will discuss your symptoms and help make a diagnosis. They may recommend the following tests: neurological exam:your vision, hearing, balance and coordination will be checked. MRI scan: this displays changes in brain tissue. A contrast dye may be used to help display brain tissue more clearly. biopsy: guided by CT or MRI imaging, a small hole is drilled into the skull and a sample of tissue collected. This helps to determine whether the glioma is cancerous (malignant) or non cancerous (benign), so your consultant can start planning treatment.
Your consultant will discuss your treatment options with you. They may recommend a craniotomy or computer assisted surgery to remove as much of the glioma as possible. You may be awake during the surgery and you may be asked to move your limbs or speak. This is to ensure areas controlling function (such as movement) are not damaged. If the glioma is cancerous, you will receive treatment from the oncology unit.
State-of-the-art intraoperative MRI for neurosurgery
As part of HCA Healthcare UK’s continued investment in the latest medical technology, The Wellington Hospital’s Neurosurgery Centre is now equipped with an intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) scanner and fully integrated digital theatre.
The iMRI scanner allows surgeons to carry out an intraoperative MRI scan of their patient’s brain during their surgery. This gives the surgeon confidence that they have achieved their treatment goal. It also provides our patients with the best possible chance of tumours being removed fully without the need for further surgery.
Our Glioma brain tumours locations
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.