Even if it sounds like constellations, tarot and astrology – an astrocytoma is unfortunately not celestial at all. In fact, astrocytomas are among the most common forms of brain tumors. However, they can be both benign and malignant. A cure is possible, especially if the tumor can be completely removed.
Astrocytoma: severity
Depending on the severity, the World Health Organization (WHO) distinguishes four different types of astrocytomas:
- Pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I): benign, slow-growing, good chance of cure.
- Diffuse astrocytoma (WHO grade II): still benign, slow growing, transition to malignant tumor possible.
- Anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III): malignant, rapidly growing, surgery and radiotherapy or chemotherapy required.
- Glioblastoma (WHO grade IV): most common and malignant form of astrocytoma, rapidly and diffusely growing, poor prognosis.
Malignant brain tumors not only grow rapidly, but also diffusely into the tissue. This makes complete removal partly impossible. In addition, high-grade tumors often leave behind single cells after surgery, which allows the cancer to come back quickly.
Even benign tumors can be dangerous
However, benign does not mean that the tumor is harmless, only that it does not grow into surrounding tissue and metastasize. Nevertheless, even benign astrocytomas grow rapidly and can thus increase intracranial pressure or impede the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid, which can be life-threatening for the patient.
What is the cause of an astrocytoma?
The causes of a brain tumor have not yet been scientifically determined. However, doctors and researchers suspect that, unlike other cancers, an unhealthy lifestyle is secondary to a brain tumor. Here the causes are looked for rather in ionic radiation, hormonal and genetic load.
Therapy of an astrocytoma
An astrocytoma consists of degenerated brain cells and arises in the supporting tissue of the brain, the glia. Therapy usually involves an attempt to remove the astrocytoma completely by surgery. In addition, drug therapy with cortisone is necessary prior to surgery.
If surgery is too risky due to the location of the tumor in the brain, or the astrocytoma is benign, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may also help. High-grade astrocytomas often grow so diffusely that they cannot be removed completely. In this case, surgery is then more likely to reduce the tumor mass to relieve intracranial pressure and improve the patient’s condition.
