Astrocytoma-Brain cancer__ Educational World

Overview:

    Astrocytoma is a type of cancer that can form in brain or spinal cord. Astrocytoma begins in cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells.

    Astrocytoma signs and symptoms depend on location of tumor. Astrocytoma that occur in the brain can cause seizures, headaches and nausea. Astrocytoma that occur in spinal cord can cause weakness and disability in the area affected by the growing tumor.

Diagnosis:

Tests and procedures used to diagnose astrocytoma include:

• Neurological exam:   During a neurological exam, doctor asks about signs and symptoms. Doctor may check vision, hearing, balance, co-ordination, strength and reflexes. Problem in one or more of these areas may provide clues about the part of your brain that could be affected by a brain tumor.
• Imaging testing:   Imaging testing can help your doctor to determine the location and size of brain tumor. MRI is often used to diagnose brain tumors, and it may be used along with specialized MRI imaging, such as functional MRI, perfusion MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

        Other imaging tests may include CT and positron emission tomography(PET).

• Removing a sample of tissue for testing(biopsy):   A biopsy can be done with needle before surgery or after surgery to remove your astrocytoma, depending on your particular situation and the location of your tumor. The sample of suspicious tissue is analyzed in a laboratory to determine the types of cells and their level of aggressiveness.

    Specialized tests of the tumor cells can tell your doctor the type of mutations the cells have acquired. This gives your doctor clue about your prognosis and may guide about your treatment options.

Treatment:

Astrocytoma treatments include:

• Surgery to remove astrocytoma:   Your brain surgeon(neurosurgeon) will work to remove as much of the astrocytoma as possible. The goal is to remove all of the cancer, but sometimes the astrocytoma is located near sensitive brain tissues that makes it too risky. Even removing some of the cancer may reduce your signs and symptoms.

         For some people, surgery may be the only treatment needed. For others, additional treatments                 may be recommended to kill any cancer cells that might remain and reduce the risk that the                     cancer will return.

• Radiation therapy:   Radiation therapy uses high energy beams, such as X-rays or protons to kill cancer cells. During radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine moves around you, directing beam to precise points in your brain.

         Radiation therapy might be recommended after surgery if your cancer was not removed                          completely or if there is an increased risk of cancer return. Radiation is often combined with                   chemotherapy for aggressive cancers. For people who cannot undergo surgery, radiation therapy             and chemotherapy may be used as primary treatment.