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How Can Our Glioma Treatment Fit The World Cancer Day Theme?

How Can Our Glioma Treatment Fit The World Cancer Day Theme?
For any patient who has been given a diagnosis of a glioma, the future may seem very uncertain. It will be important to learn about their condition and the treatments that can be provided. However, an important thing to emphasise will be that treatments should never be a case of ‘one size fits all’. Instead, a wide array of circumstances should be taken into account when planning treatment for every patient. Examples of this include:
  •       The age of the patient
  •       The general health of the patient
  •       Whether the patient’s family has a history of the same cancer and how relatives responded to certain treatment
  •       Specific genetic or hormonal markers that indicate the potential effects of certain treatments
  •       Whether they have already had one kind of treatment that has proved less effective than hoped
  •       The wishes of the patient themselves
All of these are core considerations that should be applied in every patient’s case and we certainly take them into account when planning treatments.

How Is World Cancer Day Highlighting Personalised Care?

However, this list may still raise a couple of questions. One of them is how this may relate to a specific area of cancer care, such as glioma treatment. The other is how all this may fit in with some global initiatives concerning personalised cancer care. The answers to these two queries are linked. Even the description of the variations in approaches to patient care listed above is quite basic and it can be made much more individualised still, with issues like aftercare also factored in. Right now, the main global initiative on personalised care is the theme of World Cancer Day, which falls on February 4th. The campaign theme this year is the same as in 2025 and will remain so in 2027, titled United By Unique. This highlights the fact that cancer is “more than just a medical diagnosis - it’s a deeply personal matter”.c The campaign page continued: “Behind every cancer diagnosis lies a unique human story – stories of grief, pain, healing, resilience, love and more.” Such elements, it added, were why “a people-centred approach to cancer care that fully integrates each individual’s unique needs, with compassion and empathy, leads to the best health outcomes.” The last line is a key point. This is not simply about providing sympathetic care and good moral support at what can be a very challenging time, although that is certainly important and part of what we do. It also helps achieve the ultimate aim of the best outcome.

What Are The Basics Of Glioma Care And Treatment?

In the case of glioma, there are, of course, some practical considerations. This category of brain tumour varies in category, but all are malignant tumours that originate in the glial cells. They vary by grade, with 1 and 2 being slower-growing and 3 and 4 being fast-growing. Among the different types are:
  •       Oligodendrogliomas, which tend to be grade 1 and 2
  •       Ependymomas, which tend to be low-grade gliomas and are more common in children than adults
  •       Astrocytomas, which start in the astrocyte cells and can vary from low-grade to high
  •       Glioblastomas, which are the most common and most aggressive form of glioma in adults
The most common forms of treatment are surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, as well as the use of radiotherapy to shrink it. The kind of radiotherapy involved is stereotactic radiotherapy, usually using a Gamma Knife. Invented in the 1960s by Swedish neuroscientist Dr Lars Leksell, the Gamma Knife is not, despite its name, an instrument of physical surgery, but a means of directing very precise and powerful beams of radiation at very small areas. This means it can have a maximum effect on the cancer by damaging its DNA to impede tumour growth, while minimising the exposure of surrounding brain tissue. This also helps to minimise the side effects.

How Can Glioma Care Be Varied?

It may sound as if the treatment pathway for glioma patients is straightforward, based on whatever category of tumour it is and its grade. However, it is not as straightforward as that. Among the variations is whether surgery is used at all, for example, in oligodendroglioma patients, where the slow rate of progression means this may be avoided for a considerable time. Also, where radiotherapy is used, the schedule may be varied depending on how well the patient can handle the side effects. These are just some of the variations in how patients can be treated and it all comes back to the central principle that, because everyone is unique, their treatment should be too whenever appropriate. It is certainly an approach we are committed to taking.
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Fantastic unit and all staff were lovely and comforting and couldn’t do too much for me and my companion! Doctor was thorough and answered all questions to my satisfaction and kind with the frame fitting. Radiographers were professional and caring. Lovely comfortable reclining chairs to rest on and tea for the asking! Big thank you to all the staff.

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Exemplary care. From the friendly receptionist who personally escorted my sister and I to the ward to every clinician who cared for me on the day. Each explained their role in my care at depth with empathy and warmth. Thank you so much for allaying my angst on the day.

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My first time it was daunting now had it twice the people in there are angels, very caring and professional made my whole experience calming they are marvellous thankyou from the bottom of my heart, team.

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I was naturally a little apprehensive about undergoing a treatment that was unknown to me, but the very kind and professional team explained and reassured me. If anyone has been offered an appointment at the Queens Square facility, don't be too concerned about it. It will soon be done with. My sincere thanks to the medical team and best wishes to any who find themselves in a situation similar to mine.

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