| Astrocytomas are the most common glioma, | | | | outcome of growing force inside the skull. These |
| accounting for about half of all primary brain and | | | | symptoms include worry, vomiting and psychological |
| spinal cord tumors. The remainder of astrocytomas | | | | position changes. Regional effects of astrocytomas |
| are unclassified unique variants. Futhermore, some | | | | include compression, intrusion, and devastation of |
| tumors may show histologic similarities to multiple glia, | | | | mind parenchyma. Arterial and venous hypoxia, |
| e.g. oligoastrocytomas. The existence of such tumors | | | | competition for nutrients, release of metabolic end |
| brings debate as to the proper origin of gliomas: | | | | products, and release and recruitment of cellular |
| possibly cancer stem cells, not the glia themselves. | | | | mediators disrupt normal parenchymal function. Other |
| For patients with anaplastic astrocytomas, the | | | | symptoms, such as drowsiness, lethargy, obtuseness, |
| growth rate and interval between onset of | | | | personality changes, disordered conduct and impaired |
| symptoms and diagnosis is intermediate between | | | | mental faculties show up early in about one out of |
| low-grade astrocytomas and glioblastomas. There are | | | | every four patients with malignant brain tumors. |
| different types of astrocytomas, and these lesions | | | | Frequently, however, many of the initial signs of a |
| are classified into several categories according to | | | | tumor, which stem from increased pressure in the |
| their appearance under a microscope. This | | | | cranium, are the same for all tumor types and |
| classification is important because, the appearance of | | | | locations, and may include headaches, nausea, and |
| an astrocytoma will often predict its behavior and, | | | | adverse changes in eyesight. |
| therefore, a patient's prognosis. | | | | Generally, maintenance of patients with mind tumors |
| Astrocytomas are the most common variety of | | | | is primarily directed by a neurologist or specialist in |
| glioma and may be benign or malignant. The first | | | | neurooncology. Patients with an astrocytoma and a |
| symptoms of astrocytoma, or any brain tumor, can | | | | story of seizures should obtain anticonvulsant therapy |
| be caused by increased pressure in the brain as the | | | | with monitoring of the drug density in the blood flow. |
| tumor grows. Like all brain tumors, astrocytomas are | | | | The consumption of corticosteroids, such as |
| very serious and are usually described by the medical | | | | dexamethasone, yields speedy advance in most |
| community based upon their grade. People of all ages | | | | patients incidental to a decrease of tumor mass |
| can develop astrocytomas, but they are more | | | | consequence. However, high-grade tumors often |
| common in adults, particularly middle-aged men. | | | | have tentacle-like structures that invade surrounding |
| Astrocytomas in the base of the brain are more | | | | tissues, making it more difficult to remove the entire |
| common in children or young people. In young | | | | tumor. If the tumor cannot be completely removed, |
| children, the growing pressure of an astrocytoma | | | | surgery can still reduce or control tumor size. |
| tumor inside the skull may enlarge the head. Changes | | | | Concurrent prophylaxis for gastrointestinal ulcers |
| (such as swelling) may be observed in the back of | | | | should be prescribed with corticosteroid |
| the eye, where the blind spot is. Usually there are no | | | | administration. Radiation therapy is required to treat |
| changes in temperature, blood pressure, pulse or | | | | gliomas. Radiation therapy may also be beneficial in |
| respiratory rates except just before death. | | | | the short-term for tumors that have spread from |
| General symptoms of an astrocytoma tumor are an | | | | other parts of the body. |