Up to half of all diagnosed gliomas are astrocytomas – a type of glial brain tumor. The neoplasm develops from the brain cells – astrocytes, which serve as a support for neurons. Some types of astrocytomas develop into aggressive malignancies that require immediate treatment. At the same time, even with a weak degree of malignancy, cysts develop inside the neoplasm, which put pressure on healthy brain tissues, reducing patient’s quality of life.
Israeli clinics use state-of-the-art diagnostic and neurosurgical equipment that allows to accurately determine an astrocytoma margins and remove it with minimally invasive surgery or non-surgical method. Thanks to Israeli doctors and new treatment methods, the chances of a sustained remission exceed 80%.
Risk factors
The causes of astrocytomas are completely unknown, and any risk factors are associated exclusively with the general causes of brain tumors.
- Heredity and genetic predisposition to cancer, including neurofibromatosis type I.
- Work and life in radiation-unfavorable conditions.
- High-dose exposure and radiation contamination.
- Abuse of alcoholic beverages and smoking.
- Constant contact with industrial carcinogens.
There are also statistical observations – astrocytoma develops more often in children aged 5-8 years, but older people also suffer from it.
Symptoms of astrocytoma
Symptoms depend on location and size of the tumor, as well as the age of patient and rate of neoplasm progression. At the same time, astrocytoma has no pronounced symptoms, there are only general signs of the development of a CNS tumor.
- Causeless nausea and vomiting.
- Frequent severe headaches, especially in the morning, which are often passing after vomiting.
- Dizziness, unsteady gait, clumsiness, and poor coordination.
- Impaired vision, speech, and hearing.
- Cramps and weakness in the extremities, often on one side depending on the location of the tumor.
- Drowsiness, general lethargy, and poor attention span.
- Confused consciousness.
Infants with active development of astrocytoma have an enlarged head, and adults may experience a sharp deterioration in handwriting.
Diagnostics
Due to the lack of characteristic symptoms, astrocytomas are diagnosed in Israeli clinics only after a imaging evaluation.
- Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography (CT, MRI, and PET).
- A biopsy.