Cerebral astrocytoma is a type of malignant glioma.

Childhood cerebral astrocytoma is a disease in which benign (noncancer) or malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the brain.

Astrocytomas are tumors that start in brain cells called astrocytes. Cerebral astrocytomas form in the area of the brain called the cerebrum. The cerebrum, which is at the top of the head, is the largest part of the brain. The cerebrum controls thinking, learning, problem-solving, speech, emotions, reading, writing, and voluntary movement.

Although cancer is rare in children, brain tumors are the most common type of childhood cancer other than leukemia and lymphoma.

This summary refers to the treatment of primary brain tumors (tumors that begin in the brain). Treatment for metastatic brain tumors, which are tumors formed by cancer cells that begin in other parts of the body and spread to the brain, is not discussed in this summary. Brain tumors can occur in both children and adults; however, treatment for children may be different than treatment for adults.


The symptoms of childhood cerebral astrocytoma vary and often depend on the child’s age, where the tumor is located, and the size of the tumor.

The following symptoms and others may be caused by an astrocytoma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of these problems occur:

• Weakness or change in feeling on one side of the body.
• Seizures.
• Morning headache or headache that goes away after vomiting.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Unusual sleepiness or change in energy level.
• Change in personality or behavior.

Tests that examine the brain are used to detect (find) childhood cerebral astrocytoma.

The following tests and procedures may be used:

• CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with gadolinium: A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the brain and spinal cord. A substance called gadolinium is injected through a vein. The gadolinium collects around the cancer cells so they show up brighter in the picture. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).

Childhood cerebral astrocytoma is diagnosed, and sometimes removed, in surgery.

If a brain tumor is suspected, a brain biopsy is done by removing part of the skull and using a needle to remove a sample of the tumor tissue. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, the doctor will remove as much tumor as safely possible during the same surgery.


Recurrent Childhood Cerebral Astrocytoma

Recurrent childhood cerebral astrocytoma is a tumor that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The tumor may recur many years after the first tumor. High-grade cerebral astrocytoma, however, usually recurs within 3 years after it is first diagnosed. A recurrent tumor may come back in the brain or in other parts of the central nervous system.


The grade of the tumor is used in place of a staging system to plan cancer treatment.

Staging is the process used to find out how much cancer there is and if cancer has spread. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment.

There is no standard staging system for childhood cerebral astrocytoma. Instead, the grade of the tumor is used to plan treatment. The grade of the tumor describes how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread.

The following grades are used:

• Low-grade cerebral astrocytoma is a tumor that is very slow-growing and rarely spreads.
• High-grade or malignant cerebral astrocytoma is a tumor that is fast-growing and may spread throughout the brain.

Childhood cerebral astrocytoma may form in more than one place in the brain and usually does not spread to other parts of the body.

Hey,

I saw the various astrocytoma mentions in this particular post. Do you have any articles related to astrocytomas?

Hello lepz,
To view the articles that we have ammased on astrocytomas please refer to our blog section:

Cerebellar Astrocytoma
Cerebral Astrocytoma/Malignant Glioma

We strive to continuously update all of the listed subjects, so we recommend that you check back with us frequently or follow us on Twitter for updates.

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