Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumours are highly aggressive tumors that usually affect young children. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The first line of treatment is surgery, which removes the entire tumour or as much of it as possible. This is followed by biopsy to determine the type of cancer and whether it is a genetic mutation.
Symptoms of this disease vary from child to child. They may occur at any age, although the likelihood of developing this cancer is higher in older children. Oftentimes, the tumour starts in the brain and then spreads to the spinal cord and central nervous system. However, the symptoms can be general or recurrent. If you notice these symptoms in a child, seek immediate medical attention.
Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors can affect young children or adults. Those with this condition should see a doctor as early as possible because the diagnosis can make the tumor worse. Symptoms of this disorder can range from mild to life-threatening. Depending on the location of the tumor, it may even require surgery. There are also a variety of treatments available for patients with these disorders.
While early stage cases of ATRT are rare, they can be deadly. At diagnosis, the disease usually has a poor prognosis. The younger a child is, the better. Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors are typically classified as World Health Organisation Grade 4 tumours. Fortunately, there is no standard staging system for these types of brain cancer. Most ATRTs are diagnosed as new or recurrent, but there is currently no cure for this devastating form of brain cancer.
During the early stages of the disease, patients may experience a combination of symptoms. The symptoms of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor are often not consistent in all patients, but can be similar in some cases. Atypical teratoid/rhoid tumours in the brain are commonly detected through a spinal cord and brain biopsy. If asymptomatic, a patient can undergo a treatment that may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
Atypical teratoid/Rhabdoid tumors are extremely rare, but can occur in adult patients. In fact, approximately 10% of children with brain tumors will develop an atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor. It is usually diagnosed in the early stages of childhood, and symptoms can occur in childhood and later life.
Most atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors are found in adults, but they can also develop in adults. In 2001, a report in the Journal of Neurooncology described a case of an adult patient with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor. It was later discovered that these tumors had a common mutation, which was responsible for the disease.
If you suspect you have an atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor, the first step is to consult a doctor. An atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor is a type of brain cancer that is uncommon in children. Atypical teratoid sarcomas, or ataxia, is usually characterized by rapid growth.
