Astrocytoma / Glioma
Also called: Anaplastic astrocytoma, fibrillary astrocytoma, glioblastoma, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA), Pilocytic Astrocytoma ( PA), Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma (PMA), pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA)
What are astrocytomas and gliomas?
Astrocytomas and gliomas are tumors that grow from brain cells called astrocytes. These cells are a type of glial cell. Glial cells make up the supportive tissue of the brain. An astrocytoma is a type of glioma.
Because the terms “astrocytoma” and “glioma” are commonly used to mean the same thing, “astrocytoma” is used here to refer to both.
Common sites for astrocytomas include the following:
- The cerebellum (the area just above the back of the neck that controls movement, balance and posture)
- The cerebrum (the largest part of the brain at the top of the head. Controls thinking, speech, emotions, reading, writing, problem-solving and movement)
- The brainstem (lowest part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord. Controls breathing, heart rate and all the nerves and muscles that are used in hearing, walking, talking, seeing and eating)
- The hypothalamus (located in the center of the brain and controls body temperature, thirst and hunger)
- The visual pathway (the group of nerves that connect your eyes with your brain)
Astrocytomas may be grouped by the way they look under the microscope:
- Grade I: Often called benign or low grade. They are closest to normal and grow slowly.
- Grades II, III and IV: All are cancerous. The more abnormal the cells look under the microscope, the higher the grade.
- Grades III and IV are the most aggressive types of astrocytoma/glioma.
Astrocytomas may be classified in this way:
- High-grade astrocytomas/gliomas: Tumors grow quickly and spread throughout the brain. They are aggressive and require intensive treatment as soon as possible. Common high-grade astrocytomas:
- Anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), which are grade III tumors
- Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which are grade IV tumors
- Low-grade astrocytomas: Tumors are usually localized and grow slowly. Common low-grade astrocytomas:
- Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) or juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA)
- Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA)
- Fibrillary astrocytoma
- Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA)
- Diffuse astrocytoma
In children, most astrocytomas are low-grade. In adults, most are high-grade.
How common is astrocytoma?
- Astrocytoma is the most common type of glioma diagnosed in children.
- These tumors can occur in children and adults.
- These tumors account for almost half of all childhood tumors starting in the brain or spinal cord.
What are the symptoms of astrocytoma?
Astrocytoma symptoms vary widely. Some do not cause symptoms at all or not until they become large. In children, the types of symptoms depend on the following:
- Age and stage of growth
- Function of the affected part of the brain
- Location of the tumor in the brain or spinal cord
- Speed at which the tumor is growing
Symptoms may occur quickly in some children, slowly and gradually in others. Symptoms of astrocytoma include the following:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Early morning headaches
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Vision, hearing or speech problems
- Loss of balance or trouble walking
- Weakness, tingling or changes of feeling on one side
- Seizures
- Changes in personality or behavior
- Increased head size (in an infant)
How is astrocytoma treated?
- Surgery — is used to both diagnose and treat astrocytomas. A biopsy (removal of affected tissue to be examined) may be done to determine the tumor’s type and grade. If a biopsy finds cancer cells and the patient is still in surgery, the surgeon may take out as much tumor as can be removed safely.
- In Grade I tumors, surgery is considered a curative option if the tumor can be removed completely. These tumors can also be followed closely with MRI if very little tumor is left behind.
Along with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may also be used to kill any remaining tumor cells:
- Chemotherapy (“chemo”) — may be used after surgery to treat children under age 3. It may also be used along with surgery and radiation therapy for older children. Chemo uses powerful medicines to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing (dividing) and making more cancer cells.
- Chemo may be injected into the bloodstream, so that it can travel throughout the body.
- Some chemo may be given by mouth.
- Combination therapy uses more than one type of chemo at a time or refers to chemo with radiation and/or surgery.
- Radiation therapy — uses high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Generally used in children older than 3 after surgery with Grade III and IV tumors. External radiation therapy is used to treat astrocytoma in children. The way the radiation is given depends on the type of tumor and where the tumor is located in the brain or spinal cord. Your radiation oncologist will discuss the types of radiation therapy with you to decide the best option for your child.
What are the survival rates for astrocytoma?
Survival rates for astrocytomas in children vary widely based on these factors:
- The specific type, location and grade of the astrocytoma
- Whether the tumor is localized (in one area) or has spread
- The child’s age at diagnosis
- Genetic changes in the child (such as NF1)
- Whether the astrocytoma is newly diagnosed or has returned (recurred)
Why choose St. Jude for your child’s astrocytoma treatment?
- We focuses on developing chemo treatments that control tumor growth with fewer side effects. Because these tumors grow slowly, the strategy is to give less intensive chemo over long periods of time. For older children and those whose tumors progress despite chemo, new radiation techniques are under study to “focally” deliver radiation to the tumor with few effects on the normal brain tissue.
- As per COG we focuses on developing targeted therapy by researching the different pathways found in these tumors. The goal is to increase the overall survival rate of children with high grade glioma. The clinical staff does this by working with the neurobiology department to test new drugs for future use in clinical trials while continuing to improve radiation delivery and surgical techniques.
- KIDS oncocare stuff staff is dedicated to treating children who have serious illnesses we have one of big pediaitric ICU . Here, you will find a hospital and staff that has only one focus—your child.
- Kidsoncocare is committed to not only finding cures, but also helping children hold on to their quality of life. Children are not just small people. Their bodies and systems are unique, along with the disorders that affect them. For the best care, they need a specialized team
- Our brain tumor doctors also work closely with support staff in nursing, rehabilitation services, neuropathology, pharmacy, neuroradiology, neuropsychology, clinical nutrition, child life and social work, along with many others. Support staff members have been specially trained to care for children with brain tumors.
- The nurse-to-patient ratio is unmatched—averaging 1:3 in hematology and oncology, and 1:1 in the Intensive Care Unit.
