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Astrocytoma
What is astrocytoma?
Astrocytoma is a type of brain tumour that originates from astrocytes, star-shaped cells that make up the supportive tissue of the brain.
These tumours are part of a group known as gliomas, and they can vary significantly in their behaviour, prognosis, and treatment needs. Astrocytomas are classified into several types based on their malignancy and growth potential. They range from low-grade (slower growing and potentially non-cancerous) to high-grade (rapidly growing and cancerous) tumours.
Types of astrocytoma
Non-cancerous astrocytomas (Low-grade):
- Pilocyticastrocytoma (Grade I) is a generallybenign and slow-growing tumour, most common in children and young adults.
- Diffuse astrocytoma (Grade 2) grows slowly but can become malignant over time. This tumour is more infiltrative and can transform into higher-grade tumours.
Cancerous astrocytomas (High-grade):
- Anaplastic astrocytoma (Grade 3) is characterised by a higher degree of malignancy. It grows more quickly and is more aggressive than a Grade 2 astrocytoma.
- Glioblastoma (Grade 4) is the most aggressive type of astrocytoma, characterised by rapid and highly malignant progression.
What are the symptoms of astrocytoma?
The symptoms of astrocytoma depend on the tumour's size, location, and growth rate. Common symptoms include:
- Persistent headaches
- Seizures
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cognitive or behavioural changes
- Neurological deficits such as weakness or numbness
- Speech difficulties
- Changes in vision
What causes astrocytoma?
The exact cause of astrocytoma is not fully understood.
Genetic factors play a role, especially in syndromes like neurofibromatosis type 1 and Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which increase the risk. Environmental factors such as exposure to ionising radiation also contribute, but in most cases, astrocytomas appear sporadically without a clear cause.
What are the complications and related diseases for astrocytoma?
Complications of astrocytoma are primarily related to its growth and location in the brain:
- Increased intracranial pressure causing headaches, vomiting, and vision problems
- Hydrocephalus (fluid accumulation in the brain)
- Impairment of brain function affecting movement, speech, and cognition
- Potential transformation into a higher-grade tumour
Related diseases include other types of gliomas and neurological conditions that might arise due to genetic predispositions.
How do you prevent astrocytoma?
There are no established methods to prevent astrocytoma due to its unclear causes. However, reducing exposure to known risk factors, such as ionising radiation, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may help reduce general cancer risk.
This page has been reviewed by our medical content reviewers.
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