Astrocytoma (patient information)

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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [mailto:mgibson@perfuse.org] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Jinhui Wu, M.D.

Overview
Astrocytoma is a type of glioma that origins from astrocytes. Astrocytes can support and nourish neurons and help repair the damage when the brain is injured. Astrocytoma occupies 30% of brain tumors.

What are the symptoms of astrocytoma?
Usual symptoms include headache, nausea and vomiting, seizure, hydrocephalus, weakness, or numbness in the extremities. Sometimes astrocytoma may spread along the cerebrospinal fluid pathways, but rare spread outside of the brain or spinal cord.

Diagnosis
Head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best way for diagnosis.

Treatment options
Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, gene therapy, or a combination of them. Because most astrocytomas can spread widely throughout the normal brain tissue, it may be very hard to remove by surgery.

Where to find medical care for astrocytoma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating astrocytoma

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Prognosis depends on the grade of the cancer.

Source
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_brain_and_spinal_cord_tumors_3.asp?rnav=cri