Astrocytoma

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is an astrocytoma? " пїЅ An astrocytoma is a type of brain cancer. Brain cancer happens when normal cells in the brain change into abnormal cells and grow out of control. Brain cancers can be named after the type of cell they look like. Astrocytomas are named after a type of cells called "astrocytes. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

There are different kinds of astrocytoma. Some astrocytomas grow slowly, and others grow much more quickly. A slow-growing astrocytoma can sometimes change into a fast-growing one. пїЅ пїЅ

As an astrocytoma grows, it can spread into healthy parts of the brain. It can also cause brain swelling. Both these things can cause symptoms. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of an astrocytoma? " пїЅ The symptoms can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Headaches that might get worse at night and even wake you up " пїЅ Sometimes, a headache from an astrocytoma can get worse when you bend over or change positions. Some people have a dull, constant headache.
Seizures " пїЅ A person who has a seizure might stiffen up, have jerking movements of the arms and legs, pass out, or lose muscle control.
Memory problems or trouble thinking clearly
Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
Vision changes, such as double vision or a loss of vision
Problems talking to other people, such as trouble finding the right word for something
Personality changes

Other conditions can also cause these symptoms. But you should tell your doctor or nurse if any of these things happen. пїЅ пїЅ

Will I need tests? " пїЅ Yes.The doctor will do an exam and order imaging tests. These can include an MRI, a CT scan, or other imaging tests. Imaging tests create pictures of your brain that can show astrocytomas or other abnormal growths. пїЅ пїЅ

Your doctor might also do a test called a "biopsy. " пїЅ During a biopsy, the doctor takes a small sample of tissue from the brain. Another doctor looks at the sample under a microscope to see if an astrocytoma is present. пїЅ пїЅ

If the doctor does surgery on the astrocytoma, he or she might do a biopsy on a sample of the tissue that is taken out. Either way, a biopsy can tell doctors more about the astrocytoma, including whether it is likely to spread or come back. пїЅ пїЅ

How is an astrocytoma treated? " пїЅ Treatments can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Surgery " пїЅ During surgery, doctors try to remove as much of the astrocytoma as possible. Surgery can sometimes cure a type of astrocytoma called "pilocytic astrocytoma. " пїЅ Many other astrocytomas cannot be cured with surgery, but surgery might reduce symptoms and help people live longer. On the other hand, surgery can also cause more symptoms or problems. This is because doing surgery can hurt healthy parts of the brain.
Radiation therapy " пїЅ Radiation kills cancer cells. Doctors might give radiation therapy after surgery, or when surgery is not possible.
Chemotherapy " пїЅ Chemotherapy is the term doctors use for medicines that kill cancer cells. Doctors sometimes give these medicines with radiation therapy or if an astrocytoma comes back after treatment.
Watchful waiting " пїЅ If an astrocytoma is small and does not cause many symptoms, doctors might wait to see if it grows or spreads. The doctor can give medicine to control symptoms, such as seizures.

What happens after treatment? " пїЅ After treatment, you will have regular checkups to see if the astrocytoma is coming back or spreading. These checkups will usually include imaging tests of the brain. пїЅ пїЅ

You should watch for the symptoms listed above, and any other symptoms you had before the doctor found the astrocytoma. Having symptoms could mean the astrocytoma has come back. Tell your doctor or nurse about any symptoms you have. пїЅ пїЅ

What if the astrocytoma comes back? " пїЅ If the astrocytoma comes back or spreads, you might have more surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Your doctor or nurse will help you choose the best treatment. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 17217 Version 4.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Astrocytoma

The Basics

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