Astrocytoma: prognosis, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Astrocytoma is a neoplasm of the brain that is formed from astrocytes - cells that are similar in shape to stars due to their numerous processes. This tumor can have a different degree of malignancy.
Reasons, features
Astrocytoma is diagnosed in different age categories - from children to the elderly. This is the most frequently diagnosed neoplasm from the category of neuroectodermal tumors - those that grow from the neuroectoderm (tissue forming the brain and spinal cord, the autonomic part of the nervous system, and neuroendocrine structures).
The direct reasons why tumors suddenly start growing from normal cells are still unknown - this is the problem of all oncology. Such "unknownness" also applies to the neoplasm that is being described.
Is astrocytoma dangerous? The forecast depends on its varieties, which will be discussed below.
The described tumor is very similar in consistency to brain tissue, but has a pale pink delicate color. In some cases, clear boundaries between atrocytoma and healthy brain tissue are defined, but often such boundaries cannot be detected. Inside this neoplasm, cysts can form, which can grow to large sizes. Cysts appear more often in children than in adult patients.
There are age-specific features of the location of astrocytoma - most often it grows:
- in adult patients - in the brain;
- in children and adolescents - in the cerebellum.
Anaplastic astrocytoma and other types of astrocytoma
Several types of astrocytoma have been distinguished.
- Pilocytic - has the first degree of malignancy. It is a benign neoplasm, which is characterized by clear boundaries, and increases in size slowly. It mainly appears in childhood. It affects the cerebellum, brain stem, and also the optic nerves.
- Fibrillary - has the second degree of malignancy. Such astrocytoma is not characterized by clear boundaries, but it also grows slowly. Young people between the ages of 20 and 30 suffer mainly.
- Anaplastic astrocytoma - has the third degree of malignancy. This is a full-fledged malignant tumor without clear contours. It increases in size quickly, growing into brain tissue. It mainly affects men between the ages of 30 and 50.
- Glioblastoma has the fourth degree of malignancy. This is the most malignant of all known astrocytes. It has no boundaries as such, growth is very fast. Men aged 40-70 are most often affected.
Symptoms
Symptoms of astrocytoma are quite variable and depend mainly on its localization. Most often present:
- regular headaches;
- nausea;
- vomiting that does not bring relief;
- vestibular disorders;
- slowness in pronouncing words;
- constant drowsiness;
- weight loss.
Diagnostics
The timeliness of astrocytoma treatment depends on the timeliness of its detection.
This tumor can be diagnosed using instrumental methods of diagnosis:
- computed tomography (CT);
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Indispensably, a biopsy is performed - the removal of tumor tissue followed by examination under a microscope.
Astrocytoma treatment
The main method of treatment for astrocytes is surgery. Neoplasms are removed if possible with the capture of tissues that "to the eye" appear healthy, but at the same time may already be affected by the tumor process.
After removal of astrocytoma, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are prescribed. The purpose of this appointment is to eliminate tumor cells that may have remained after the operation.
Forecast
The prospects of a patient with a tumor, which is described, depend on its type, the age of the patient and the timeliness of recognition. The earlier this tumor is removed, the better the prospects.
By pre-registering on the website Dobrobut.com for a consultation with our specialists, you will be able to learn more information about astrocytoma from them at the reception: the prognosis for life in its various forms, the risks of disability, and so on.
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