Astrocytoma (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Astrocytoma is a type of [[glioma]] that origins from astrocytes. Astrocytes can support and nourish neurons and help repair the damage when the brain is injured. Astrocytoma occupies 30% of brain tumors. | Astrocytoma is a type of [[glioma]] that origins from astrocytes. Astrocytes can support and nourish neurons and help repair the damage when the brain is injured. Astrocytoma occupies 30% of brain tumors. | ||
Usual symptoms include [[headache]], [[nausea]] and [[vomiting]], [[seizure]], [[hydrocephalus]], [[weakness]], or [[numbness]] in the extremities. Sometimes astrocytoma may spread along the cerebrospinal fluid pathways, but rare spread outside of the brain or spinal cord. Head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best way for diagnosis. Treatments include surgery, [[radiation therapy]], [[chemotherapy]], gene therapy, or a combination of them. Because most [[astrocytomas]] can spread widely throughout the normal brain tissue, it may be very hard to remove by surgery | |||
==What are the symptoms of astrocytoma?== | |||
Usual symptoms include [[headache]], [[nausea]] and [[vomiting]], [[seizure]], [[hydrocephalus]], [[weakness]], or [[numbness]] in the extremities. Sometimes astrocytoma may spread along the cerebrospinal fluid pathways, but rare spread outside of the brain or spinal cord. | |||
==How to know you have astrocytoma?== | |||
Head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best way for diagnosis. | |||
==Treatment options== | |||
Treatments include surgery, [[radiation therapy]], [[chemotherapy]], gene therapy, or a combination of them. Because most [[astrocytomas]] can spread widely throughout the normal brain tissue, it may be very hard to remove by surgery. | |||
==Where to find medical care for astrocytoma?== | ==Where to find medical care for astrocytoma?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|astrocytoma}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating astrocytoma] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|astrocytoma}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating astrocytoma] | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)== | |||
Prognosis depends on the grade of the cancer. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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[[Category:Oncology patient information]] | [[Category:Oncology patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Mature chapter]] | |||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
Revision as of 16:09, 27 July 2011
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here Template:DiseaseDisorder infobox Template:Search infobox Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Editor-In-Chief Patient Information Page: Jinhui Wu, MD
Overview
Astrocytoma is a type of glioma that origins from astrocytes. Astrocytes can support and nourish neurons and help repair the damage when the brain is injured. Astrocytoma occupies 30% of brain tumors.
What are the symptoms of astrocytoma?
Usual symptoms include headache, nausea and vomiting, seizure, hydrocephalus, weakness, or numbness in the extremities. Sometimes astrocytoma may spread along the cerebrospinal fluid pathways, but rare spread outside of the brain or spinal cord.
How to know you have astrocytoma?
Head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best way for diagnosis.
Treatment options
Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, gene therapy, or a combination of them. Because most astrocytomas can spread widely throughout the normal brain tissue, it may be very hard to remove by surgery.
Where to find medical care for astrocytoma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating astrocytoma
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
Prognosis depends on the grade of the cancer.