Low-grade astrocytomas are relatively common among the under-eighteen year old population. The preferred treatment is complete surgical resection. In some cases, chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be used to treat the tumor. During diagnosis, spinal cord examination is not necessary as the risk of dissemination to the spinal cord is low. However, patients must undergo MRI scans to determine the extent of the mass. There are several options available to the child.
The most common pediatric central nervous system glial neoplasm is pilocytic astrocytoma (PA). It is rare in children and accounts for 20% of all pediatric brain tumors. It is considered a grade I tumor by the World Health Organization (WHO). The tumor can arise anywhere in the CNS, most frequently in the optic nerve and chiasmal region. Neuroradiologic findings are characteristic of low-grade astrocytomas: contrast medium-enhancing nodule in a cystic mass.
An 8-month-old boy was diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma, located in the transition zone C1-C2. The patient underwent 45 Gy of radiotherapy and six cycles of chemotherapy with carboplatin 300 mg/m 2 daily at D1-D3. The residual lesion remained stable for seven years. After seven years, the child developed lower back pain and underwent an MRI of his neck. Medical examination revealed tumor cells in cerebrospinal fluid and neuroaxis dissemination.
There are different types of astrocytomas in childhood. Some of these tumors can spread and cause symptoms. Other forms may be categorized as subpendymal giant cell astrocytoma. Clinical features of these tumors are described below. In addition, they can be classified according to their location in the brain or spinal cord. These types of astrocytoma are often confused with another astrocytoma.
Astrocytomas are commonly misdiagnosed as low-grade astrocytomas in the under-eighteen-year-old population. Despite the risk of radiation, complete surgical resection is the best treatment for this condition. Occasionally, it can be regressed spontaneously, however, which depends on several factors. Sometimes, patients with astrocytoma will spontaneously return.
The clinicopathologic characteristics of this condition are similar to those of other childhood astrocytomas. One example is a 5-year-old boy with a pilocytic astrocytoma in the cerebellum. The tumors in the brainstem are grouped as high-grade astrocytomas. A pheromone is a type of astrocytoma in the coccyx.
Unlike other types of childhood brain tumors, astrocytomas in childhood are often benign. While most cases are low-grade astrocytomas, they are rare and should be considered as a last resort. When present, a tumor may have multiple atypical features, such as a glial or astrocellular nature. The cancer may not have a tumor-like appearance or be asymptomatic.
Astrocytomas are considered low-grade astrocytomas if they are found in the cerebellum. A child with astrocytoma in the cerebellum will show a tumor with a high density of astrocytes. This type of tumor is rare in children, but may present in some cases. There are several different types of astrocytoma in the brain. For example, fibrillary astrocytomas in the cerebellum are the most common in children.
