Patient guides
Glioma patient guides
Every Glioma guide in the AURORA library — 50 plain-language articles for patients and families, grouped by topic.
Understanding the Disease
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Glioma 101: What It Is, What It Isn't, and What to Do After…
Learn what a glioma is, the main types and grades, how molecular markers shape diagnosis, and what to do after hearing the word "glioma."
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How the Brain Works: Glial Cells, Neurons, and Where Gliomas…
Understand neurons, glial cells, and how the brain is organized — the biology behind where gliomas start and why location matters.
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The Types of Glioma: Astrocytoma, Oligodendroglioma…
A plain-language map of the main glioma types and how doctors now sort them by cell type, grade, and molecular markers.
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Understanding Glioma Grades: Low-Grade vs High-Grade and…
What glioma grade means, the difference between low-grade and high-grade tumors, and why grade alone doesn't tell the whole story.
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The 2021 WHO Brain Tumor Classification: Why Molecular…
Why your glioma diagnosis now includes genetic details, what changed in the 2021 WHO classification, and what it means for you.
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IDH-Mutant vs IDH-Wildtype Glioma: What This Difference…
IDH status is one of the most important facts about a glioma. Learn what IDH-mutant and IDH-wildtype mean for prognosis and treatment.
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Astrocytoma Explained: Types, Grades, and What to Expect
Understand astrocytoma — the most common diffuse glioma family — including grades, IDH status, and what shapes prognosis and treatment.
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Oligodendroglioma Explained: 1p/19q Codeletion and Why It…
Learn what an oligodendroglioma is, why 1p/19q codeletion defines it, and why this glioma type often responds better to treatment.
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Glioblastoma Explained: The Most Common and Aggressive Adult…
An honest, compassionate guide to glioblastoma — what it is, how it's treated with the Stupp protocol, and what the outlook means.
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Ependymoma Explained: Tumors of the Ventricle and Spinal…
Learn what an ependymoma is, where it forms, how it differs in children and adults, and how it's treated.
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Low-Grade Glioma Explained: Slow-Growing Tumors and…
Understand low-grade glioma, why these slower-growing tumors are managed over years, and what a chronic-disease mindset looks like.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
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Signs and Symptoms of Glioma: What to Watch For
Learn the common signs and symptoms of glioma — from headaches and seizures to weakness and personality changes — and why they vary.
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Headaches and Brain Tumors: When a Headache Is and Isn't a…
Most headaches are not brain tumors. Learn the red-flag features that actually warrant evaluation and what's usually reassuring.
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Seizures and Glioma: Why They Happen and What They Mean
Seizures are a common first sign of glioma. Learn why tumors cause seizures, what they look like, and how they're managed.
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When to See a Doctor About Possible Brain Tumor Symptoms
Clear, non-alarmist guidance on which neurological symptoms warrant a doctor's visit and which need urgent or emergency care.
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How Glioma Is Diagnosed: Exam, Imaging, and Biopsy
Walk through the glioma diagnostic journey — neurological exam, MRI, biopsy or surgery, and the molecular tests that confirm the diagnosis.
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Brain MRI for Glioma: What the Scan Shows and Why Contrast…
Understand brain MRI in glioma care — what the images reveal, why contrast dye is used, and what terms like "enhancement" mean.
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Brain Biopsy and Surgery for Diagnosis: How Doctors Confirm…
Learn why a biopsy or surgery is needed to confirm a glioma, how a stereotactic biopsy works, and what the tissue reveals.
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Molecular and Genetic Testing of Brain Tumors: IDH, MGMT…
Understand the molecular and genetic tests run on a glioma — IDH, 1p/19q, MGMT, and others — and why they now drive diagnosis and treatment.
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Understanding Your Glioma Pathology Report
Decode your glioma pathology report — diagnosis, grade, molecular markers, and Ki-67 — so you can understand the document that guides your care.
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MGMT Methylation Explained: Why It Affects Chemotherapy…
Learn what MGMT methylation means, why it predicts temozolomide benefit in glioma, and what a methylated vs unmethylated result implies.
Treatment Decisions
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Glioma Treatment Overview: Surgery, Radiation, Chemotherapy…
A clear overview of glioma treatment — surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, Tumor Treating Fields, and clinical trials.
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Brain Surgery for Glioma: Goals, Extent of Resection, and…
Learn the goals of glioma surgery, why "extent of resection" matters, how surgeons protect function, and what recovery involves.
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Awake Craniotomy Explained: Why Some Brain Surgeries Are…
An awake craniotomy sounds frightening but protects vital functions. Learn why it's done, what it's like, and why patients feel no pain.
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Radiation Therapy for Glioma: How It Works and What to Expect
Understand radiation therapy for glioma — how it targets tumors, what a typical course involves, and what to expect day to day.
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Chemotherapy for Glioma: Temozolomide and How It's Used
Learn how chemotherapy works for glioma, why temozolomide is the most common drug, how it's taken, and what to expect.
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The Stupp Protocol: Standard Treatment for Glioblastoma…
Understand the Stupp protocol — the standard glioblastoma treatment of surgery, radiation with temozolomide, and adjuvant chemotherapy.
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Targeted Therapy for Glioma: IDH Inhibitors and Vorasidenib
Learn how targeted therapy is changing glioma care, including vorasidenib for IDH-mutant low-grade glioma and other precision drugs.
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Tumor Treating Fields (Optune): A Different Kind of…
Learn what Tumor Treating Fields (Optune) are, how the wearable device works for glioblastoma, and what daily life with it is like.
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Clinical Trials for Glioma: What They Are and How to Find One
Understand glioma clinical trials — what they are, the phases, who qualifies, and how to find trials that might fit your situation.
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Watch and Wait for Low-Grade Glioma: When Observation Is the…
Why doctors sometimes recommend monitoring a low-grade glioma instead of immediate treatment, and how active surveillance actually works.
Recovery and Side Effects
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Recovery After Brain Surgery for Glioma: The First Days and…
What to expect recovering from glioma surgery — the hospital stay, the first weeks at home, common symptoms, and when to call your team.
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Side Effects of Brain Radiation: Fatigue, Hair, Skin, and…
Understand the short- and long-term side effects of brain radiation for glioma — fatigue, hair loss, skin changes, and cognitive effects.
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Side Effects of Temozolomide Chemotherapy and How They're…
Learn the common side effects of temozolomide chemotherapy for glioma — nausea, fatigue, low blood counts — and how each is managed.
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Steroids and Brain Tumors: Why Dexamethasone Is Used and Its…
Learn why dexamethasone is prescribed for brain tumors, how it reduces swelling and symptoms, its side effects, and why tapering matters.
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Managing Seizures During and After Glioma Treatment
Practical guidance on managing seizures with a glioma — anti-seizure medications, triggers, safety, driving, and when to call for help.
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Cognitive Changes With Glioma: Memory, Focus, and "Chemo…
Understand why glioma and its treatment can affect memory, attention, and thinking — and the strategies and support that help.
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Cancer-Related Fatigue in Glioma: Why It Happens and What…
Fatigue is one of the most common glioma symptoms. Learn why it happens, how it differs from ordinary tiredness, and what actually helps.
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Rehabilitation After Glioma: Physical, Occupational, and…
Learn how rehabilitation helps people recover function after glioma — physical, occupational, speech, and cognitive therapy explained.
Pediatric and Specific Gliomas
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Pediatric Glioma: How Brain Tumors Differ in Children
Learn how gliomas in children differ from those in adults — types, biology, treatment, and why pediatric brain tumors need specialized care.
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Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma: The Most Common Childhood Brain…
Learn about pediatric low-grade glioma — the most common childhood brain tumor — including pilocytic astrocytoma, BRAF, targeted therapy, and outlook.
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DIPG and Diffuse Midline Glioma: Understanding a Difficult…
An honest, compassionate guide to DIPG (diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27M) — what it is, how it's treated, and where new hope is emerging.
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Optic Pathway Glioma: Tumors Affecting the Visual System
Learn about optic pathway glioma — a tumor of the visual system often linked to NF1 — including symptoms, treatment, and protecting vision.
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Glioma and Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1): What Families…
Learn how neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) relates to glioma — increased risk of low-grade brain tumors, monitoring, and what families should know.
Long-Term and Survivorship
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Follow-Up After Glioma: MRI Surveillance and Monitoring
Learn what follow-up after glioma involves — how often you'll have MRI scans, what's monitored, and how to cope with scan-related anxiety.
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Pseudoprogression vs True Progression: When a Scan Looks Worse
Learn the difference between pseudoprogression (treatment effect) and true tumor progression in glioma — why scans can be misleading after treatment.
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Glioma Recurrence: Understanding and Facing a Return
Learn what glioma recurrence means, how it's detected, and what treatment options exist when a brain tumor comes back.
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Glioma Prognosis and Survival Statistics: Reading the…
Understand glioma prognosis and survival statistics — what they mean, why they vary so much, and why they don't determine any individual's outcome.
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Living With Glioma: Emotional Health, Caregiving, and Support
Practical guidance on living with glioma — emotional wellbeing, caregiving, support resources, and caring for the whole person beyond the tumor.
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Questions to Ask Your Neuro-Oncologist and Neurosurgeon
A practical checklist of questions to ask your glioma care team — about diagnosis, treatment, side effects, prognosis, and support.
Glioma glossary — 265 terms defined in plain language
All AURORA medical definitions
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