This type of tumor is often not immediately apparent in children, and a diagnosis must be made by a neurologist. The location and symptoms of a childhood astrocytoma depend on its type and stage. Treatment is based on the specific symptoms of the child, age, and general health. Your pediatrician will work with you to determine the best course of treatment.
Early diagnosis is key because astrocytomas typically develop during the first 18 months of life. Although some childhood astrocytomas recur many years after initial diagnosis, this is not common. Recurrent disease usually occurs at the original site of the tumor, but has been known to recur in the intracranial and spinal leptomeninges. Surveillance imaging can detect asymptomatic recurrence. Relapsed low-grade diffuse fibrillary astrocytomas often progress to higher-grade tumors and undergo chemotherapy.
The overall survival rate of childhood astrocytomas is good. For gliomas, the median survival time is 18 months. If the tumour is in the brainstem, the average survival time is 19 months. In the cerebral hemisphere, patients with astrocytomas have a greater chance of survival. They also have better quality of life. The authors of this article declare no conflicts of interest. This article addresses the treatment of high-grade astrocytomas in children.
Treatment of astrocytomas in children is based on the type of tumor, its location, and the presence of spread. If the tumor is in the brain, it can’t be surgically removed. Doctors are not sure what causes high-grade astrocytomas, but certain genetic syndromes are associated with malignant astrocytomas, including Li-Fraumeni syndrome. If you suspect a child has an astrocytoma, it is important to consult with a pediatrician as soon as possible.
The treatment of astrocytomas in childhood varies depending on the type of tumor and where it has spread. Surgical removal of the tumour can be performed when it is small, but if the tumour has spread, you may have to undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy. However, the treatment of astrocytoma in childhood will depend on the type of astrocytoma and whether it has spread. This cancer usually grows back after treatment, so it is important to choose the right treatment for your child.
The treatment for astrocytomas in childhood is based on a variety of factors. The type of tumor plays a major role in the patient’s survival. The treatment of astrocytomas in childhood depends on the type of astrocytoma. If it is small and well-circumscribed, surgical removal is an option. If it is larger, it can lead to complications and may be difficult to cure.
The treatment for astrocytomas in childhood varies. It depends on the type of tumor, location, and whether the disease has spread to other areas of the body. Some astrocytomas in childhood are localized, causing little or no symptoms. Other astrocytomas have spread to other parts of the body, including the spinal leptomeninges. The treatment for an astrocytoma in childhood can be aggressive or non-invasive, depending on its severity.
The most common form of astrocytoma in children is a low-grade glioma. These tumours develop from glial cells, which are part of the supportive tissue in the brain. The most common type of astrocytoma in children has a low risk of spreading. Hence, no immediate treatment is required. But it should be monitored carefully. A biopsy can be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
