Pediatric astrocytomas are heterogeneous tumors characterized by a granular appearance and varying degrees of neuropathy. They comprise 40% of pediatric CNS tumors. Patients with these tumors usually experience pain, nausea, vomiting, and gait disturbances. Several treatment options are available for these children, including radiation therapy. Nevertheless, these treatment options have not been proven to be effective. Therefore, doctors must be aware of the various risks and complications associated with astrocytomas and should plan for a thorough examination.
Surgical treatment for astrocytomas in children depends on its location and extent. Low-grade astrocytomas, which are relatively common among the under-18 population, are essentially intracerebral lesions. The most common treatment option is a complete surgical resection. In rare cases, radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be used. Despite the fact that the risk of dissemination to the spinal cord is very small, medical reports suggest that a spine examination during diagnosis should be avoided.
Low-grade astrocytomas in childhood are the most common type and comprise 20 percent of all pediatric brain tumors. They are classified as WHO grade I and can be located anywhere in the CNS. They often occur in the optic nerve or the chiasmal region. Classic neuroradiologic findings include a contrast-medium enhancing nodule within a cystic mass. In some cases, a patient will experience symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
The main group of pediatric astrocytomas are low-grade, which have an indolent clinical course. They account for 20% of all pediatric brain tumors, and are classified as WHO grade I tumors. They can arise anywhere in the CNS, but they most frequently affect the optic nerve and chiasmal region. A classic neuroradiological finding is a contrast-medium enhancing nodule within a cystic mass.
High-grade astrocytomas are relatively rare in children. Low-grade astrocytomas have only been reported in the cerebrum in seven cases. In most cases, the primary treatment for astrocytomas in children is a complete surgical resection. However, in some cases, the tumor cannot be removed. The most common treatment for astrocytomas in childhood is surgery. If surgery is not possible, radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be used.
While most pediatric astrocytomas are low-grade, some have anaplastic potential and are considered low-grade astrocytomas. The second-most common type is a low-grade astrocytoma. It accounts for 15% of brain tumors in children and accounts for 85% of astrocytomas in adults. In addition to its cellularity, low-grade astrocytomas lack contrast-medium enhancement on MRI and CT scans.
The most common type of childhood astrocytomas is low-grade astrocytomas. It accounts for 20% of all pediatric brain tumors and is categorized as a WHO grade I tumor. It can develop in any area of the CNS, but most commonly occurs in the chiasmal and optic nerve. The classic neuroradiologic finding is an enhanced contrast medium nodule within a cystic mass.
While low-grade astrocytomas are not common, they are common in the pediatric population. When they do occur, a surgical resection is the standard of care. If surgery is not feasible, chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be used. During the diagnosis, it is not usually necessary to perform a full surgical resection. During the surgery, a doctor may perform imaging to rule out astrocytoma.
The survival rate of astrocytomas is not high. The average survival rate is three to four years for children with low-grade astrocytomas. A typical survival rate is based on several factors, including the location and size of the tumor. The astrocytoma may be located in the frontal or parietal lobe. The affected child may live with glial brain lesions for years to come.
