Section 19.1: Astrocytoma

Version 2.1 by Max Gosey on 2010/06/10 22:57

Astrocytoma

Histological appearance

Pilocytic

Pilocytic astrocytomas are relatively common. They are also known as Grade I gliomas. Pilocytic astrocytomas are well differentiated and are essentially just hyperplastic astrocytes.

Desmoplastic

I don't know anything about these.

Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytomas

These are big.

Metastasis

Astrocytomas are not likely to metastasize.

Interventions

As with all brain malignancies, interventions are selected largely upon anatomical location. Surgical and non-surgical interventions are possible.

Prognosis

As compared to pediatric medulloblastomas^{[link to medulloblastoma here]} and glioblastomas^{[link to glioblastoma here]}, prognosis for pilocytic astrocytoma is good. Patients are expected to live in xyz% of cases.