Astrocytoma
Astrocytoma Definition
Astrocytoma is a major intracranial lumps resulting from astrocyte cells of the brain. In the the cerebral hemispheres, in the optic nerve, in the posterior fossa and seldom in the spinal cord is where it may appear. The WHO provided a four point level basing in the histological grade of the lump.
Astrocytoma Diagnosis
Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) ? is needed to distinguish the structure of the tumor determining its location, size and consistency. The distortion of the third and lateral ventricles, the dislocation of the frontal and middle cerebral arteries is seen using CT. An infiltrative quality indicative of the deliberate rising nature of the tumor is usually revealed in tissue biopsy with histological diagnosis. The appearance of the tumor is usually firmed, white-gray, and nearly impossible to tell apart from normal white matter. The tumor might be noncavitating, pseudocyst-forming or cavitating.
Astrocytoma Symptoms and Signs
Below are the known symptoms of Astrocytoma: Impaired/weakened balance Vomiting/nausea or queasiness Weight change Change in personality Behavior change Tiredness/weariness Headache Loss of desire for food
Astrocytoma Treatment
Efficient survival may be attained for many years with resection of the tumor. It has been reported that patients who undergone resection lived for up to 5 years and has gone over to 90% to well resected tumors. For tumors that transformed malignantly requires chemotherapy or radiation therapy. After therapy or treatment there are chances that the tumor re-occurs and the treatment is the same with the initial tumor but it is more aggressive. In unusual cases, the tumor creates on or two types of cells wherein the treatment kills the first cell leaving the second cell immune to the treatments.