Astrocytoma I
Pilozytic Astrocytoma
The pilocytic astrocytoma is a clearly defined, sometimes cystic glioma, that principally occurs in children and young adult. It is classified as a benign tumour and rarely turns into a higher-grade glioma.
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Histology of Pilocytic Astrocytoma
- a benign, slowly growing tumour (who-grade I)
Epidemiology of Pilocytic Astrocytoma
- most frequently occuring tumour in childhood
- peak age around 10, rare in adulthood
Symptoms of Pilocytic Astrocytoma
- symptoms of cerebral pressure (headache, nausea and emesis)
- neurological deficits (impaired vision, uncertain gait)
- hypothalamic malfunctions (e.g. overweight)
- rarely epileptical seizures
Diagnosing Pilocitic Astrocytoma
- neurological examination, MRI and CT
- possibly endocrinological or ophtahlmological examination
- clearly defined, mostly heterogenous tumour
- solidly contrast enhancing, possibly cystic components without contrast agent enhancement
- main localisation in midbrain, cerebellum and brain stem, temporal, also optic nerve and thalamus
- frequently occuring in patients with neurofibromatosis type I
Therapy of Pilocytic Astrocytoma
- of possible, complete surgical removal
- in case of incomplete surgical removal possibly radiotherapy
- radiotherapy in astrocytomas at the brain stem
Therapy of Recurrent Pilocytic Astrocytoma
- re-operation
- possibly (second) irradiation
- possibly chemotherapy
Aftercare of Pilocytic Astrocytoma
- MRI every three months, after one year regularity after six to twelve months
- contrast-enhanced MRI is the method of choice
- possibly neurological, ophthalmological or endocrinological examinations
Course of Pilocytic Astrocytoma
- inoperable or partly removes tumours stay constant over years
- sometimes spontaneous regress can be observed
- only in very few cases transformation into a higher-grade astrocytoma
Prognosis of Pilocytic Astrocytoma
- depending on possibilty of surgical removal
- complete surgical removal can be similar to a cure