What Is Astrocytoma?

Treatment And Prognosis

The grade and type of an astrocytoma are what determines the appropriate treatment and patient prognosis. Grade I astrocytomas can usually be cured with excision surgery if they are not in an inaccessible part of the brain. Grade II astrocytomas are also treated using excision surgery but may require the removal of additional tissues with different important functions or may need additional treatment using chemotherapy or radiation. Malignant grade III and grade IV astrocytomas are treated with aggressive excision surgery and chemotherapy that is concurrent with up to six weeks of fractionated radiation therapy. Neurologists can use brain mapping techniques and technology before and during the surgical procedure to minimize the risk of complications and injury of tissues that surround the tumor. In many cases of grade III and IV astrocytomas, the entire tumor is not able to be removed with a surgical excision procedure. However, the surgery does decrease the bulk of the tumor and relieve the pressure being put on adjacent brain tissues. After chemotherapy and radiation therapy of grade III and IV astrocytomas, diligent monitoring with surveillance MRI scans is essential for early detection of a reoccurrence.