Description

Astrocytoma is a growth of cells that begins in the brain or the spinal cord. The growth, called a tumor, it starts in cells called astrocytes. Astrocytes support and connect the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Astrocytoma symptoms vary based on the location of the tumor. An astrocytoma in the brain can cause personality changes, seizures, headaches, and nausea. An astrocytoma of the spinal cord may cause weakness and disability in the area affected by the tumor growth.

Some of the astrocytomas grow slowly. They are not considered to be cancerous. These benign tumors are sometimes called benign astrocytomas. The majority of astrocytomas grow quickly and are considered cancers of the brain. These are sometimes called malignant astrocytomas. If the tumor is benign or malignant is one of the factors with your health care team to consider when creating a treatment plan.

Symptoms

Astrocytoma of the signs and symptoms can vary depending on where the tumor starts. This tumor can occur in the brain or in the spinal cord.

The symptoms of astrocytomas in the brain include:

  • The seizures, which could cause loss of consciousness or changes in behavior, such as staring into space.
  • Headaches.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Changes in personality.
  • Speech problems.
  • Feeling very tired or weak.

The symptoms of astrocytomas of the spinal cord include:

  • Pain in the affected area.
  • Pain that is worse at night.
  • Weakness in the arms or in the legs that worsens with time.
  • Difficulty walking.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if they continue to symptoms that worry you.

Causes

The cause of astrocytoma often not known. This tumor begins as a growth of the cells in the brain or the spinal cord. Is formed in the cells called astrocytes. Astrocytes support and connect the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Astrocytoma happens when astrocytes develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA contains the instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions that tell cells to die at a set time. In tumor cells, changes in DNA to give different instructions. Changes to say to the tumor cells to grow and multiply quickly. Tumor cells can continue living when healthy cells would die. This makes too many cells.

The tumor cells of a growth that you can press in the immediate vicinity of the parts of the brain or of the spinal cord as it gets bigger. Sometimes changes in the DNA to activate the tumor cells in the cancer cells. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy healthy body tissue.

Risk factors

Risk factors for the astrocytoma include:

  • History of radiation therapy. If you had radiation treatments for other types of cancer, especially of the radiation near the head or the neck, you may be at greater risk.
  • Of the middle ages. Astrocytoma can occur at any age. It is more common in adults between the ages of 30 and 55 years.
  • Hereditary syndromes. People with certain disorders that run in families may be more likely to have astrocytoma. Examples include neurofibromatosis type 1, Lynch syndrome, and Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

There is no way to prevent the astrocytoma.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose astrocytoma include:

  • Neurological examination. During a neurological examination, a member of your health care team will ask about your symptoms. Your vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength and reflexes will be reviewed. Problems in one or more of these areas can help to display the part of your brain affected by a brain tumour.
  • Imaging tests.Imaging tests can help find out the location and size of the tumor in the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging is often used to diagnose brain tumors. Can be used in conjunction with the specialized magnetic resonance imaging, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, perfusion magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Other imaging tests may include CT and positron emission tomography scans, also called PET.
  • The removal of a sample of tissue for analysis.A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue from the tumor to the test. Often the samples are taken during the surgery to remove the astrocytoma. If the astrocytoma is in a difficult place to reach with surgical tools, a needle may be used to obtain the sample. The method that you use depends on your situation. The tissue goes to a laboratory for review. The tests can determine the types of cells and how quickly they grow. Special tests can show you detailed information about the tumor cells. The tests can detect changes in the genetic material of the tumor cells, called DNA. The results inform your health care team about your prognosis. Your computer uses this information to create a treatment plan.

Imaging tests. Imaging tests can help find out the location and size of the tumor in the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging is often used to diagnose brain tumors. Can be used in conjunction with the specialized magnetic resonance imaging, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, perfusion magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Other imaging tests may include CT and positron emission tomography scans, also called PET.

The removal of a sample of tissue for analysis. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue from the tumor to the test. Often the samples are taken during the surgery to remove the astrocytoma. If the astrocytoma is in a difficult place to reach with surgical tools, a needle may be used to obtain the sample. The method that you use depends on your situation. The tissue goes to a laboratory for review. The tests can determine the types of cells and how quickly they grow.

Special tests can show you detailed information about the tumor cells. The tests can detect changes in the genetic material of the tumor cells, called DNA. The results inform your health care team about your prognosis. Your computer uses this information to create a treatment plan.

Treatment

Astrocytoma treatments include:

  • The surgery to remove the astrocytoma.A surgeon of the brain, also called a neurosurgeon, works to remove as much of astrocytoma as possible. The goal is to remove all of the tumor. Sometimes the tumor is in a place that is difficult to achieve. It may be too risky to remove everything. Even so, the removal of some of the astrocytoma can decrease your symptoms. For some people, surgery may be the only treatment needed. For other, more treatments may be recommended to remove any remaining tumor cells and reduce the risk of the tumor coming back.
  • The radiation therapy.Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill tumor cells. The energy can come from X-rays, protons, and other sources. During radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine moves around you. The machine sends rays of exact points in your brain. The treatment only takes a couple of minutes. Radiation therapy may be used after surgery. It can be used if the cancer was not completely removed or if there is a greater risk of the cancer coming back. The radiation may be used with chemotherapy for cancers that grow quickly. For people who are unable to undergo surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be used as the main treatment.
  • Chemotherapy.Chemotherapy uses strong drugs to kill tumor cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken in pill form or injected into a vein. Sometimes, a circular wafer of chemotherapy medicine can be put in your brain after the surgery. There, it slowly dissolves and releases the drug. Chemotherapy is often used after surgery to destroy any tumor cells that may remain. Can be used with radiation therapy for tumors that grow quickly.
  • Clinical trials. Clinical trials are studies of new treatments. These studies offer the opportunity to try the latest treatment options. The risk of side effects may not be known. Ask a member of your health care team if you can participate in a clinical trial.
  • Supportive care. Supportive care, also called palliative care, which focuses on the relief of pain and other symptoms of a serious disease. Palliative care specialists work with you, your family, and your health professional team members to provide additional support. Palliative care can be used at the same time as other treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Often, palliative care begins when launch of the astrocytoma treatments. You do not need to wait for complications to happen in order to receive palliative care.

The surgery to remove the astrocytoma. A surgeon of the brain, also called a neurosurgeon, works to remove as much of astrocytoma as possible. The goal is to remove all of the tumor. Sometimes the tumor is in a place that is difficult to achieve. It may be too risky to remove everything. Even so, the removal of some of the astrocytoma can decrease your symptoms.

For some people, surgery may be the only treatment needed. For other, more treatments may be recommended to remove any remaining tumor cells and reduce the risk of the tumor coming back.

The radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill tumor cells. The energy can come from X-rays, protons, and other sources. During radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine moves around you. The machine sends rays of exact points in your brain. The treatment only takes a couple of minutes.

Radiation therapy may be used after surgery. It can be used if the cancer was not completely removed or if there is a greater risk of the cancer coming back. The radiation may be used with chemotherapy for cancers that grow quickly. For people who are unable to undergo surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be used as the main treatment.

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses strong drugs to kill tumor cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken in pill form or injected into a vein. Sometimes, a circular wafer of chemotherapy medicine can be put in your brain after the surgery. There, it slowly dissolves and releases the drug.

Chemotherapy is often used after surgery to destroy any tumor cells that may remain. Can be used with radiation therapy for tumors that grow quickly.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. If your doctor thinks you might have astrocytoma, it is likely that you will be referred to a specialist. This specialist may be a cancer doctor called an oncologist. You can also see a surgeon who specializes in the operation of the brain, the call of a neurosurgeon.

Appointments can be brief, and being prepared can help. Here is some information that can help you prepare.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as fasting before a specific test. Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment.
  • Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
  • All the medications, vitamins, or other supplements you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Questions to ask your doctor.

Have a friend or family member, if possible, to help you remember the information they give you.

For astrocytoma, some basic questions to ask your health care professional include:

  • Do I have cancer?
  • If the tumor is not cancerous, do I have to remove?
  • I need more tests?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What are the potential risks of these treatment options?
  • Do any of the treatments to cure my cancer?
  • I have a copy of my pathology report?
  • How much time can I take to consider my options for treatment?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
  • What would happen if I decide not to have treatment?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask several questions, such as:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Astrocytoma