| Astrocytomas represent the most common type of | | | | children under three years, is no longer considered a |
| glioma. They develop from the supporting cells of the | | | | subtype of ependymoma. |
| brain, which are star-shaped glial cells called | | | | Treatment |
| astrocytes. In children, most astrocytomas are | | | | Treatment of grade I and grade II ependymomas is |
| considered low-grade, while in adults most are | | | | usually surgery with or without radiation therapy. |
| high-grade. They occur in most parts of the brain, | | | | Treatment of anaplastic ependymoma may include |
| including the brain stem. | | | | the following: |
| Treatment | | | | 1. Surgery plus radiation therapy. |
| Radiation therapy is required to treat gliomas. | | | | 2. A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy |
| Radiation therapy may also be beneficial in the | | | | before, during, and after radiation therapy. |
| short-term for tumors that have spread from other | | | | 3. A clinical trial of chemotherapy and/or biologic |
| parts of the body. Chemotherapy also benefits some | | | | therapy. |
| patients with such brain tumors. | | | | Metastatic Brain Tumor. A metastatic, or secondary, |
| Chemotherapy is only marginally effective in the | | | | brain tumor is one that begins as cancer in another |
| treatment of Anaplastic astrocytoma and | | | | part of the body. Some of the cancer cells may be |
| Glioblastoma multiforme. Typical chemotherapy | | | | carried to the brain by the blood or lymphatic fluid, or |
| agents include carmustine (BCNU) and lomustine | | | | may spread from adjacent tissue. The site where the |
| (CCNU). | | | | cancerous cells originated is referred to as the |
| Craniopharyngiomas are tumors near the brain's | | | | primary cancer. Metastatic brain tumors are often |
| pituitary gland and most commonly affect infants and | | | | referred to as lesions or brain metastases. Metastatic |
| children. Because the pituitary gland releases chemicals | | | | brain tumors are the most common brain tumors. |
| essential for growth and metabolism, a | | | | There has been an increase in metastatic lesions as |
| craniopharyngioma may result in a child's stunted | | | | people are surviving primary cancers for longer |
| growth. The patient's vision may also be affected. | | | | periods of time. |
| These tumors develop from cells left over from early | | | | Treatment |
| fetal development. | | | | Surgery |
| Treatment | | | | Brain tumors are often difficult to diagnose and |
| Surgery: Because of their location close to vital parts | | | | surgical removal demands great skill. Mayo's team of |
| of the brain, surgical removal is often difficult. | | | | specialists in secondary brain tumors offer the most |
| However, surgery is the usual treatment for these | | | | up-to-date treatment opportunities, utilizing the latest |
| tumors. Radiation therapy may also be used. | | | | technological advances. |
| Ependymal tumors begin in the ependyma, cells that | | | | Surgery, the mainstay of brain tumor treatment, |
| line the passageways in the brain where cerebrospinal | | | | involves removing as much of the tumor as possible |
| fluid (CSF) is produced and stored. Ependymomas are | | | | while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. |
| classified as either supratentorial (in the cerebral | | | | Radiation |
| hemispheres) or infratentorial (in the back of the | | | | Radiation uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer |
| brain). Variations of this tumor type include | | | | cells and is often used after surgery to destroy any |
| subependymoma, subependymal giant-cell | | | | remaining cancerous cells. It may also be used if |
| astrocytoma, and malignant ependymoma. | | | | surgery is not possible. |
| Ependymoblastoma, which occurs in infants and | | | | |