Astrocytomas

The location of the tumor predicates the symptoms that patients experience. Headaches, nausea and vomiting are common, as is the occurrence of a seizure. Seizures may manifest as a twitching in the face, arm, or leg, and numbness may occur in these areas.

The patient's family members sometimes describe a staring-like episode, during which the patient seems detached. Other symptoms include mood or personality changes, weakness, speech problems or blurred vision. With a spinal cord astrocytoma, weakness or clumsiness of the arms or legs, gait, bowel or bladder problems may be reported.

Symptoms vary depending on the location of the brain tumor, but can also include any of the following:

• Changes in ability to think and learn
• Changes in mood and personality
• Double or blurred vision
• Loss of appetite
• New seizures
• Persistent headaches
• Speech difficulty of gradual onset
• Vomiting

Any of these symptoms should prompt consultation with a physician or neurosurgeon, and an immediate CT or MRI scan can help reveal the problem. Contrast dye is administered through an IV during these scans to increase the sensitivity and specificity of the test. A dye allergy may be overcome by careful pre-medication. Control of symptoms usually involves the initiation of an anti-epileptic medication (Keppra) and a steroid (Decadron).

The next step is consultation with a neurosurgeon who specializes in brain tumors. A further review of the case by a multidisciplinary tumor board is a prudent measure. The imaging findings on the CT and MRI scans give the neurosurgeon an idea of the nature of the tumor; however, an accurate diagnosis requires a neuropathologist to study the tumor tissue, which guides further treatment.

Anaplastic astrocytomas are usually not inherited. These tumors typically occur sporadically, in people with no family history of astrocytomas. In most cases, the exact cause is unknown.

Like many other cancers, it is believed that isolated astrocytomas may occur due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. This means that a person may carry a gene (or a combination of genes) that predisposes them to developing an astrocytoma, but it may not develop unless it is "triggered" by an environmental factor.