About Astrocytoma
Astrocytoma is a type of brain tumor that most commonly occurs in children and young adults. This type of tumor develops from glial tissue, which consists of cells that protect neurons and help support the brain’s structure. Glial tissue exists throughout the brain, so astrocytoma can appear in any region.
Low-Grade Glioma
Low-grade gliomas fall into either grade 1 or grade 2 categories. The cancer cells are relatively small and have not spread far from where they originate. These factors make low-grade gliomas highly treatable. If your child has been diagnosed with low-grade glioma that can be removed, he or she has around a 90 percent chance of being cured.
Optic Pathway Glioma
Optic pathway glioma is a small, slow-growing tumor present around the optic nerve. If the tumor presses against the optic nerve, it can cause vision problems, including blindness. Fortunately, only about 5 percent of patients with optic pathway glioma suffer from blindness.
Because the optic pathway is located near the brain’s hormone center, patients with optic pathway gliomas may also experience problems with appetite, sleep, endocrine function and hormone production.
High-Grade Glioma
High-grade gliomas most often occur in adults, but they can appear in pediatric patients too. These tumors fall into grade 3 and grade 4 categories. Your brain cancer doctor may refer to high-grade glioma as anaplastic astrocytomas. The terms are interchangeable.
High-grade gliomas are larger and more widespread than low-grade tumors.
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIGP) is a type of tumor that appears in or near the brainstem. This location often makes it difficult for brain cancer surgeons to remove the tumors. Complete surgical removal is rarely an option for DIPG, so doctors usually treat it with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy after a biopsy of the tumor is performed
Symptoms of Astrocytoma
The symptoms of astrocytoma vary significantly depending on the location and size of the tumor. Still, there are some common symptoms that suggest to doctors that their patients may have astrocytomas. These symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Headaches that usually disappear after vomiting.
- Problems with hearing, seeing and speaking.
- Seizures.
- Poor balance.
- Weakness on one side of the body.
- Personality changes.
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss.
- Unusual sleepiness.
- An increase in infant head size.
Treatments for Astrocytoma
Astrocytoma almost always requires surgical treatment. Your brain tumor surgeon will need to determine the location of the tumor so they can remove them. Additional treatments usually depend on the tumor’s grade.
Low-grade astrocytomas most often do not require additional treatments if the tumor can be removed with surgery. High-grade astrocytomas, however, almost always require radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
After undergoing treatment, patients can expect to spend approximately 3 days in a hospital setting so that your care team can monitor your recovery. After being discharged from the hospital, you will likely be put on restricted activity for a while to allow your body to recover. Radiation and chemotherapy may lengthen the recovery process, depending on how long you must undergo the treatments. In many cases, though, chemotherapy only causes short-term, mild discomfort. Patients who need radiation and chemotherapy may participate in their normal activities once they have recovered from the treatments.
In some cases, astrocytoma patients need physical therapy after undergoing treatments. This largely depends on whether the tumor’s location has caused physical or cognitive difficulties (such as problems speaking or thinking clearly) that continue after treatment.
If astrocytomas are discovered while in their early stages, patients have a 90 percent chance of living for at least five more years. About 40 percent of patients with stage 2 tumors live for 10 years or more. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments can often extend the lives of patients who have advanced forms of astrocytoma.
Why Choose Neurosurgeons of New Jersey
You want to choose the best possible brain tumor surgeon to treat your child’s astrocytoma. Neurosurgeons of New Jersey has a team of doctors who specialize solely in removing and treating brain tumors.
Unlike some medical practices, Neurosurgeons of New Jersey does not employ general surgeons who perform a wide range of treatments. Instead, our medical group selects specialists who have years of experience working in specific niches. By choosing a specialist, you greatly improve the surgery’s chance of success for your child.
You should also consider facility locations when choosing a brain surgeon. Patients who undergo brain surgery should travel as little as possible, which means a medical group located near your home is the most appropriate choice.
Neurosurgeons of New Jersey performs operations at five facilities throughout New Jersey and New York City. No matter what part of New Jersey you live in, you can find a surgeon who works near you.
Perhaps most importantly, Neurosurgeons of New Jersey always puts patients first. Our patient-focused philosophy considers every aspect of your condition to make your surgery and other treatments meet your unique needs. We want to give you a chance to lead the quality life that you deserve. When you choose one of our surgeons, you get individual attention that puts your needs first.