Spinal cord cancer: Astrocytoma (tumour)

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

What is Spinal Cord Astrocytoma (Tumour)

An astrocytoma is a rare spinal cord tumour that begins in the brain or spinal cord in star shaped cells called astrocytes – the supporting cells of the nervous system. These tumours may grow quite large before being detected.

Statistics on Spinal Cord Astrocytoma (Tumour)

Tumours of the spinal cord are rare, occurring with an incidence of 0.8 to 2.5 cases per 100,000 per year. The average age at diagnosis is between 35 and 40 years.

Risk Factors for Spinal Cord Astrocytoma (Tumour)

In general, spinal cord tumour occur with equal frequency in men and women. There does not appear to be significant variation between ethnic groups. They tend to occur more commonly in children and younger age groups. Research has not identified significant associations between parental and environmental exposures and the risk of future development of a spinal cord tumour (Astrocytomas).

Progression of Spinal Cord Astrocytoma (Tumour)

Tumours (Astrocytomas) of the spinal cord are graded 1-4. Low-grade astrocytomas (grade 1-2) comprise about 75-90% of tumours, and high-grade astrocytomas comprise the remainder (grades 3-4). The spinal cord tumour generally affects only a small section of the spinal cord, although occasionally a large portion of the spinal cord may be involved in a condition called ‘holocord astrocytoma.

How is Spinal Cord Astrocytoma (Tumour) Diagnosed?

The investigation of choice with spinal cord tumours is MRI scanning (with or without contrast) which is able to produce highly detailed images of the spinal cord.

Prognosis of Spinal Cord Astrocytoma (Tumour)

The outlook for patients with tumours (astrocytomas) of the spinal cord depends on the grade of the tumour (I-IV) and duration of symptoms before a diagnosis is made. In general, lower grade spinal cord tumours carry a better prognosis and those with high-grade spinal cord tumours have the worst prognosis.
The overall 5-year survival rate for patients with spinal cord tumours (astrocytomas) is about 50%. 5-year survival is approximately 70-90% for patients with low-grade tumours, and 30% for those with high-grade tumours.

How is Spinal Cord Astrocytoma (Tumour) Treated?

Surgery is the spinal cord tumour treatment of choice and should be considered where possible, especially for patients with lower-grade astrocytomas. The value of radiation therapy remains controversial but may be useful for highly aggressive tumours, inoperable tumours, reminaing tumours following surgery and in cases of recurrence.

Spinal Cord Astrocytoma (Tumour) References

[1] Cotran, Kumar, Collins. Robbins Pathological Basis of Disease, 6th ed. WB Saunders, United States of America (1999).
[2] Francavilla T. Intrameduallary Spinal Cord Tumours. eMedicine 2002.
[available online: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2995.htm] [3] Henson J. Spinal cord gliomas (editorial review). Neurology, 2001. Vol 14; 679-682.
[4] Minehan KJ, Shaw EG, et al. Spinal cord astrocytoma: pathological and treatment considerations. J Neurosurg. 1995 Oct;83(4):590-5.
[5] Reimer R, Onofrio BM. Astrocytomas of the spinal cord in children and adolescents.
J Neurosurg. 1985 Nov;63(5):669-75.