Fibroglioma is a medical term used to describe a rare type of brain tumor that arises from the supportive tissue of the nervous system. The word consists of four syllables and is pronounced as /faɪbroʊɡlaɪˈoʊmə/. The first syllable is pronounced as "fai" and the second syllable sounds like "bro," followed by "gli" and "oma" in the last two syllables. This complex spelling reflects the complex nature of the tumor, which requires professional medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Fibroglioma is a term used in medical parlance to describe a rare type of brain tumor that arises from the combination of fibrous tissue and glial cells in the central nervous system. A glial cell, also known as neuroglia, is a non-neuronal cell that provides support and protection to nerve cells in the brain. These cells have various functions, including maintaining the chemical balance in the brain and repairing damaged neurons.
A fibroglioma typically presents as a slow-growing mass in the brain or spinal cord. It is classified as a benign tumor, which means it does not infiltrate and spread into surrounding tissues like malignant tumors. However, despite being non-cancerous, fibrogliomas can still cause significant morbidity and may necessitate surgical intervention due to their size or interference with normal brain function.
The exact cause of fibroglioma remains unknown, although researchers postulate that genetic factors and mutations in certain genes may contribute to its development. Symptoms experienced by individuals with fibroglioma vary depending on the location and size of the tumor, but common signs may include headaches, seizures, changes in mood or behavior, cognitive impairments, and neurological deficits.
Diagnosis of fibroglioma typically involves a combination of medical history assessment, physical examination, and imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans. Treatment options for fibroglioma may include surgical resection, radiation therapy, and in some cases, chemotherapy. Regular follow-up with healthcare professionals and monitoring is essential to ensure the tumor does not recur or progress.
Inoglioma, a mixed fibroma and glioma.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "fibroglioma" is derived from two different components: "fibro" and "glioma".
1. "Fibro" comes from the Latin word "fibra" which means "fiber". In medical terminology, it typically refers to fibrous tissue.
2. "Glioma" originates from the Greek word "glia" which means "glue". In the context of the nervous system, glial cells are non-neuronal cells that provide support and protection to neurons.
Combining these components results in "fibroglioma", a term used to describe a tumor that contains both fibrous tissue and glial cells.