Astrocytoma overview

Revision as of 02:47, 25 August 2015 by Ammu Susheela (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Astrocytoma Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Astrocytoma from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

X-Ray

Echocardiography and Ultrasound

CT

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Study

Case #1

Astrocytoma overview On the Web

Most recent articles

cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Astrocytoma overview

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Astrocytoma overview

CDC on Astrocytoma overview

Astrocytoma overview in the news

Blogs on Astrocytoma overview

Directions to Hospitals Treating Astrocytoma

Risk calculators and risk factors for Astrocytoma overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Astrocytomas are primary intracranial tumors derived from astrocytes cells of the brain. They may arise in the cerebral hemispheres, in the posterior fossa, in the optic nerve, and rarely, the spinal cord. Astrocytomas are a type of neoplasm of the brain. They originate in a particular kind of glial-cells, star-shaped brain cells in the cerebrum called astrocytes. This type of tumor does not usually spread outside the brain and spinal cord and it does not usually affect other organs. Astrocytomas are the most common glioma and can occur in most parts of the brain and occasionally in the spinal cord.

Historical Perspective

Astrocytoma was first described by Virchow in 1840 as glioma duram. In 1932, the histological description of cerebellar astrocytoma was given by Bergstrand.

Classification

Astrocytoma may be classified according to its histology into 4 grades: pilocytic astrocytoma, diffuse astrocytoma, anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme.

Pathophysiology

On gross pathology, compression, invasion and destruction of brain parenchyma are characteristic findings of astrocytoma. On microscopic histopathological analysis, gemistocytes, rosenthal fibres and hyalinisation of blood vessels are characteristic findings of astrocytoma.

Causes

The cause of astrocytoma has not been identified.

Differential Diagnosis

Astrocytoma must be differentiated from other space occupying CNS lesions that cause neurological symptoms such as subependymal nodule, central neurocytoma, oligodendroglioma, intraventricular meningioma, intraventricular metastasis, medulloblastoma, sarcoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, choroid plexus carcinoma and glioblastoma multiforme.

Epidemiology and Demographics

In 2014 the incidence of pilocytic astrocytoma is 0.23 per 100,000 and the number of new cases is 700 per year in United States. Patients of all age groups may develop astrocytoma. Pilocytic astrocytoma accounts for 0.6-5.1% of all intracranial neoplasms.

Risk Factors

Common risk factors in the development of astrocytoma are past exposure to radiation therapy to the brain and congenital diseases.

Natural History

If left untreated, low grade astrocytoma associated with epilepsy is less malignant over time and has lower level of recurrence. Common complications are increased intracranial pressure, cognitive dysfunction, behavioral complications, vision defects and muscle weakness. Low grade astrocytoma and isolated tumor have a better prognosis than high grade astrocytoma and diffuse tumor.


References

Template:Nervous tissue tumors

de:Astrozytom nl:Astrocytoom

Template:WikiDoc Sources