What is Seizure Grade 4?

Seizures are often caused by primary tumors in the brain, also known as gliomas. When someone has has a grade 4 seizure, the term "grade 4" refers to the kind of tumor in his brain.

Gliomas

Gliomas are tumors that arise from cells in the brain rather than from having traveled from another parts of the body. Such tumors are assigned a special name and grade depending on what kind of cells they are created from and how rapidly they grow.

Grades

Gliomas are categorized into four grades. Grade 1 is the most benign kind of tumor while grade 4 is the most malignant. Grade 1 and 2 tumors are usually slow-growing and not likely to spread. Grade 3 and 4 tumors usually grow quickly and will likely spread to other parts of the brain. A patient with either grade of tumor may be prone to seizures.

Treatment

Patients suffering from high-grade gliomas can seek treatment in the forms of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. However, because therapy for high-grade tumors usually have limited benefits, patients may want to arrange for care focused on symptom-control, including seizure controlling medication.

References

• Massachusetts General Hospital: Glioblastoma Multiforme and Anaplastic Gliomas: A Patient Guide
• Macmillan: Astrocytic Tumours
• Mayo Clinic: Glioblastoma Multiforme