Carenotes > Low-grade Gliomas (Aftercare Instructions)

Low-grade Gliomas

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Low-grade gliomas (glee-O-mahs) are tumors (lumps) in the brain and spinal cord. The brain and spinal cord are made up of neurons (nerve cell). Neurons carry and transmit electrical signals (messages) within the nervous system. Glial cells support and nourish the neurons. Gliomas form when glial cells grow and divide without control or order. Gliomas may be grouped into grades based on how the tumor cells look under a microscope. The grade of glioma will tell how many abnormal cells are present in the tumor. Abnormal cells may range from grades 1 and 2 (low-grade) to grades 3 and 4 (high-grade).
  
  
• In low-grade gliomas, tumor cells may look like normal brain cells. Most low-grade gliomas are benign (noncancerous), but may become malignant (cancerous) over time. These tumors often grow very slowly and are not likely to spread. Low-grade gliomas usually affect those between 35 and 45 years of age. There are different types of low-grade gliomas. Astrocytoma is the most common type of low-grade glioma. Other types include central neurocytoma, ependymoma, mixed glioma, oligondendroglioma, optic nerve glioma, or subependymal giant cell astrocytoma.
  
  
• Signs and symptoms include seizures (convulsions), headaches, or trouble talking or seeing. You may also have nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), and problems moving your limbs. Tests to diagnose low-grade gliomas may include computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). You may also have an angiography, blood tests, a biopsy, electroencephalogram (EEG), or neurological tests. The main treatment for low-grade gliomas is surgery. You may also have radiation, chemotherapy, or medicine to treat your signs and symptoms. Diagnosing and treating gliomas as soon as possible may relieve your symptoms, prevent life-threatening problems, and improve your quality of life.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

• Anticonvulsant medicine: Anticonvulsants are given to control seizures.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take at home to take away or decrease pain. Your caregiver will tell you how much to take and how often to take it. Take the medicine exactly as directed by your caregiver. Do not wait until the pain is too bad before taking your medicine. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Tell caregivers if the pain medicine does not help, or if your pain comes back too soon.
  
  
• Your caregiver may slowly decrease the amount of steroid medicine you are using. Do not change the amount or stop using this medicine until your caregiver tells you to.
  
  
• If you are getting chemotherapy, take your medicine exactly as you are told.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Diet: Eat a variety of healthy foods. Eat different foods from the following groups every day:

• Bread, cereal, rice, and pasta.
  
  
• Vegetables.
  
  
• Fruits.
  
  
• Milk, yogurt, and cheese.
  
  
• Meat, poultry (chicken), fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver how many servings of fats, oils and sweets should be included in your diet.

Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. It may also help you heal faster. If you are on chemotherapy and have trouble swallowing, eat foods that are soft or in liquid form. Ask your caregiver about any extra nutrition you may need, such as nutrition shakes or vitamins. Tell your caregiver if you have problems eating, or if you are getting sick to your stomach.

Drinking liquids: Men 19 years old and older should drink about 3.0 Liters of liquid each day (close to 13 eight-ounce cups). Women 19 years old and older should drink about 2.2 Liters of liquid each day (close to 9 eight-ounce cups). It is especially important to drink enough liquids if you are vomiting. Ask your caregiver how much liquid you should drink each day. For most people, healthy liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. If you are used to drinking liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee, these can be counted in your daily liquid amount.

Learn ways to manage stress. Deep breathing, meditation, and listening to music may help you cope with stressful events. Talk to your caregiver about other ways to manage stress.

Rest: Try to get six to eight hours of sleep each night. You may feel like resting more. Match your activity to the amount of energy you have. Nap a couple of times during the day. Going to bed early and getting up late may also help. If you are not able to sleep, call your caregiver.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You are throwing up and cannot keep any food or liquids down.
  
  
• You cannot make it to your radiation or chemotherapy visit.
  
  
• You have a very bad headache or you feel dizzy.
  
  
• Your pain is worse or does not go away after taking your medicine.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your tumor, treatment or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You cannot think clearly.
  
  
• You pass out or have a seizure (convulsion).
  
  
• You have signs and symptoms of a stroke: You have one or more of these signs and symptoms of a stroke. These signs and symptoms may happen suddenly:
  
  
  • A very bad headache. This may feel like the worst headache of your life.
    
    
  • Too dizzy to stand.
    
    
  • Weakness or numbness in your arm, leg, or face. This may happen on only one side of your body.
    
    
  • Confusion and problems speaking or understanding things.
    
    
  • Not able to see out of one or both of your eyes.
    
    
  • This is an emergency. Call 911 or 0 (operator) for an ambulance to get to the nearest hospital. Do not drive yourself!

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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