Low Grade Astrocytoma Flashcards
(17 cards)
Astrocytoma are tumors that arise from
Supporting cells of the brain and are typically classified as low grade or high grade
Low grade astrocytoma tend to exhibit
Continued slow, relentless growth, occur in equal frequency in the cerebrum and posterior fossa
What are the most common low grade lesions?
Pilocytic astrocytoma
Patients with low grade astrocytoma typical presenting with
Long history of non specific and non localizing symptoms
What symptoms?
Headaches, degenerating coordination, visual impairment; poor school performance
Months or years
Seizures develop in those with
Hemispheric lesions
On imaging
Well circumscribed, solid, with cystic component.
They follow a
Indolent clinical course
Overall survival rate
10 and 15 years as highbas 80-100%
What is the mainstay of treatment for low grade astrocytoma
Surgery
Complete resection
Is Likely with small tumors, and those arising in nonelequent parts of brain.
If extremely young child
No serious symptoms, low grade, no immediate treatment
When is the brain more mature
3-5 years
What is a significant prognostic indicator
Extent of resection
Radiation therapy is
Typically reserved for unresectsble or recurrent lesions. And those with post surgical residual tumors
Fusion of what is helpful
CT and MRI in delineating volumes and preside fields
Radiation therapy has enhance d
Long term control but progression may occur later
