National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Ganglioglioma


Other Names:
Mixed cell tumors containing both neural ganglionic cells and neural glial cell components
Categories:
A ganglioglioma is a rare type of brain tumor, accounting for approximately 1% of all brain tumors.[1]  Gangliogliomas occur when a single cell in the brain starts to divide into more cells, forming a tumor.[2]  This can occur when the cell randomly acquires changes (mutations) in genes that regulate how a cell divides.  Most gangliogliomas grow slowly and are considered benign.  However, up to 10% of gangliogliomas may grow more rapidly and become malignant, meaning the tumor affects the surrounding brain tissue.[3]    The main treatment for ganglioglioma is removal of the entire tumor during surgery.  If the entire tumor is not removed, it has the potential to recur and may require additional surgery or treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.  Unfortunately, because gangliogliomas are quite rare, there is limited information to show that radiation therapy or chemotherapy are effective treatments for this condition.[3]
Last updated: 7/11/2011

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Ganglioglioma. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Ganglioglioma. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • My husband has a ganglioglioma, which he has battled for five years.  It seems like all the drugs or surgeries make it grow.  Is there anything you can tell me, such as what caused it or why is it growing so quickly?  I know a lot of people don't have it, but there have to be some answers.  Is any research being done on this condition? See answer


  1. DeMarchi R, Abu-Abed S, Munoz D, Loch Macdonald R. Malignant ganglioglioma: case report and review of literature. Journal of Neuro-oncology. 2011; 101:311-318. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20524041. Accessed 7/8/2011.
  2. Majores M, von Lehe M, Fassunke J, Schramm J, Becker AJ, Simon M. Tumor Recurrence and Malignant Progression of Gangliogliomas. Cancer. 2008; 113:3355-3363. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18988291. Accessed 7/7/2011.
  3. Selvanathan SK, Hammouche S, Salminen HJ, Jenkinson MD. Outcome and prognostic features in anaplastic ganglioglioma: analysis of cases from the SEER database. Journal of Neuro-oncology. 2011; Epub ahead of print:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21626070. Accessed 10/18/2011.