Brain tumour: Astrocytoma of the brain

• What is Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)
• Statistics on Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)
• Risk Factors for Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)
• Progression of Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)
• Symptoms of Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)
• Clinical Examination of Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)
• How is Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain) Diagnosed?
• Prognosis of Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)
• How is Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain) Treated?
• Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain) References

What is Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)

Brain tumours are responsible for as much as 20% of childhood cancers. Most tumours arising within the brain start in brain cells called astrocytes, resulting in astrocytomas.

Statistics on Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)

Astrocytomas are the most common type of brain tumour occurring in children less than 15 years of age. They are most common between the ages of 5 and 9 years.

Risk Factors for Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)

In general, this brain tumour occur with equal frequency in males and females. There does not appear to be significant variation between ethnic groups. The majority of cases occur in children under the age of 10 years.
Research has not identified significant links between parental and environmental exposures and the risk of future development of this type of brain tumour.

Progression of Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)

The term astrocytoma refers to a number of brain tumours that differ according to structure, location and behaviour. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has categorised astrocytomas as being grade I-IV.

• Grade I: Pilocytic;
• Grade II: Diffuse;
• Grade III: Anaplastic;
• Grade IV: Glioblastoma multiforme.

Astrocytomas of grade I–II are considered low grade and often carry a better outlook, whilst grades III–IV are considered high grade.

Symptoms of Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)

Symptoms may include:

• Morning headaches, vomiting and tiredness. These symptoms are related to increased pressure within the skull (intracranial pressure);
• Children may complain of headaches and tiredness. Parents may notice a change in behaviour or school performance;
• Depending on the location of the tumour patients may notice such symptoms as weakness, loss of balance, visual problems and hormonal imbalances;
• Seizures may occur in a small number of cases.

Clinical Examination of Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)

A thorough physical examination is often necessary.
The eyes may be examined for signs of increased pressure within the skull. Depending on the location of the tumour, eyesight or eye movements may be affected.
A neurological examination may show areas of weakness in one part or on one side of the body. If the tumour is affecting the balance centres in the brain, unsteadiness may be found.

How is Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain) Diagnosed?

CT and MRI scanning of the head are the two most commonly performed tests for brain tumours.

Prognosis of Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain)

A number of factors will influence outlook. These include the grade of the brain tumour (I–IV), and its location within the brain.
The outlook for low grade brain tumours is generally good with 60-95% rate at 10 years. High grade astrocytomas tend to have a poorer outlook, with survival at 10 years being less than 30%; brain tumour patients who survive are often afflicted by some degree of motor, cognitive or endocrine dysfunction.
Brain tumours involving certain areas tend to carry a worse prognosis; for instance involvement of the visual pathways has a poorer 10 year survival rate, as well as an increased incidence of sustained visual deficits.

How is Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain) Treated?

Brain tumour treatment depends on a number of factors, including the grade and location of the brain tumour. Surgery remains the brain tumour treatment of choice, particularly for low grade astrocytomas. High grade brain tumours and those that cannot be completely removed are usually treated after surgery with local radiotherapy.
Many health professionals are usually involved in the treatment of brain tumours, including neurosurgery, occupational and physiotherapy, and specialties such as radiation oncology and neuroendocrinology. Counselling should be offered to all brain tumour patients and family members.

Brain Tumour (Astrocytoma of the Brain) References

1. Cotran RS, Kumar V, Collins T, Robbins SL. Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease (6th edition). Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company; 1999. [Book]
2. Kumar P, Clark M (eds). Clinical Medicine (5th edition). Edinburgh: WB Saunders Company; 2002. [Book]
3. MacDonald T. Pediatric astrocytoma [online]. Omaha, NE: eMedicine; 2002 [cited 4 February 2005]. Available from: URL link