The care team will determine an appropriate schedule for your child. Generally, surgery is the first step in the treatment process. The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible while preserving normal brain tissue.
The treatment for astrocytomas in childhood depends on the location of the tumor and the original treatment. If it’s a high-grade tumor, it will often occur over the tentorium of the cerebrum, which is a common location for childhood glial tumors. In rare cases, astrocytomas may spread to other areas of the CNS. For this reason, children with astrocytomas in childhood will typically be treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
The treatment for childhood astrocytomas is based on the location, size, and aggressiveness of the tumor. If there is evidence of metastasis, treatment will depend on the size of the tumor and its progression. For more advanced cases, radiation therapy may be indicated. PDQ pediatric treatment summaries are independently reviewed and do not reflect the official policy of NCI. In addition, astrocytomas in childhood can be difficult to diagnose because of their location and its complexity.
The primary treatment for childhood astrocytomas is surgical resection. The surgeon will remove the tumor in a surgery. A biopsy may be needed if the tumor has spread to other locations. In low-grade astrocytomas, the surgeon may perform a spinal cord dissection. If the pediatric astrocytoma is in the optic chiasm or hypothalamus, surgery may not be possible. Surgical resection is often not possible with this type of childhood astrocytoma.
Depending on the location of the astrocytoma, the symptoms may be mild or moderate. In children, they may present with increasing head circumference. During a well baby checkup, the health professional measures the child’s head circumference. They may also have a soft spot on the top of the skull. During an examination, the doctors can rule out the possibility of an astrocytoma.
Surgical treatment for children with astrocytomas varies. Depending on the location, the cancer may require surgery. MRI scans are performed to evaluate the extent of tumor growth. It is important to seek the advice of a doctor for the best treatment options for your child. It is important to understand that the type of radiation used for this treatment is a personal decision and should not be imposed on others. Nevertheless, surgery is often the most effective option for most cases.
Although no definitive treatment exists for Astrocytomas, surgical treatment can be very successful in most cases. However, the prognosis for a child with an astrocytoma depends on the age at which the tumor was diagnosed. A patient older than three years of age is considered to have a better prognosis than a child with a tumor in the third ventricle. Affected children are usually referred to the pediatrician for surgical treatment.
Treatment for astrocytomas in children varies. Early diagnosis can improve survival rates and help children recover from the disease. The tumor’s location, growth rate, and the treatment are all factors that affect a child’s chances of surviving. Some of the most common types of astrocytoma in childhood are juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas and glioblastoma multiforme, respectively.
