Astrocytomas are a type of glioma, or tumor that grows in glial cells, which support nerve function. About half of all tumors of the central nervous system are astrocytomas.
Named after the star-shaped cells from which they develop, astrocytomas can be either cancerous or noncancerous. The most common forms of astrocytomas are:
Different types of astrocytomas are more likely to affect different people. For example, pilocytic astrocytomas are more likely to be found in children and young adults, while glioblastomas are more likely in middle-aged men.
Common symptoms include:
Common testing includes a neurological test; imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scans, which look at the brain’s chemical and cellular functions, and angiograms, which look at blood vessels and blood flow; and blood and urine tests.
Treatment depends on the tumor and symptoms. Traditional surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and radiosurgery (such as Gamma Knife treatment offered at The Valley Hospital), which delivers radiation to the tumor to stop its growth without harming the surrounding tissue are some of the possible treatment options.
Call The Gamma Knife Center at The Valley Hospital at 201-634-5677 or complete the contact form for more information or to set up a consultation.
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