Brain astrocytoma is the most common and one of the most aggressive type of brain tumors. This neoplasm is malignant in 50% of detected cases. Patients who have been diagnosed with the benign form of tumor should immediately start treatment. If patient do not receive therapy in time, the astrocytoma can most likely develop into malignant form.

 

Read about:

Features of the tumor

Methods of treatment of astrocytoma

Operation for astrocytoma: how it is conducted, indications and rehabilitation
Astrocytoma prognosis

Where to treat astrocytoma: top clinics and doctors

FEATURES OF TUMOR

The astrocytoma is characterized by aggressiveness and rapid growth. A tumor in the first stage is considered benign. It has clear boundaries with surrounding tissues (focal astrocytoma), therefore it is easily removed. As it grows, the tumor becomes malignant. The boundaries of the tissues lose clarity (diffuse astrocytoma), which complicates the surgical treatment. An astrocytoma can develop in any part of the brain. Often, a tumor can not be completely removed because of its location ( inoperable area or close to important vessels). In such cases, other methods of treatment are prescribed.

METHODS OF TREATMENT OF ASTROCYTOMA

Since this type of brain tumors is characterized by aggressiveness and rapid growth, its treatment requires urgency and an integrated approach. The astrocytoma of the brain treatment methods are:

  • operative intervention;
  • radiotherapy;
  • chemotherapy;
  • targeted therapy or their combination.

OPERATIONAL TREATMENT

Treatment Of Astrocytoma Brain Tumor

 

Surgical intervention is the main method of astrocytoma treatment, depending on the severity of the disease the procedures are assigned for different purposes:

  • for complete resection of the neoplasm;
  • to remove the most accessible part – this reduces intracranial pressure, generally improves the patient’s condition;
  • surgery is necessary for a biopsy. The collection of material for further tumor research is performed by a needle puncture through a small hole in the skull. The tissue sample taken is examined under a microscope for its benign activity or malignancy.

RADIATION THERAPY

Can be prescribed before and after surgery. Before surgery, radiotherapy is prescribed to reduce the size of the formation while after excision – to kill possibly remaining pathological cells. In cases where the astrocytoma is found to be inoperable, radiotherapy is usually the main method of treatment. With it, you can significantly reduce the size of the tumor, which improves the physical condition of the patient and often prolongs life.

In foreign clinics following innovative methods of radiotherapy are used:

  • Stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy – a high dose of irradiation of tumor tissues without affecting healthy cells is given. Can be conducted in one session or through a course;
  • Brachytherapy – internal irradiation, in which the radioactive element is injected directly into pathological tissues. The area of its influence is bly limited, therefore healthy cells are not affected;
  • Craniospinal radiotherapy – irradiation of the entire spinal cord during the formation of metastases.

CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy medications are taken orally, injected intravenously or into the brain in the form of implants with a cytostatic content (this method is used in late stages).

 

The purpose of the introduction of chemotherapy is total destruction of cancer cells. Substances flow with the blood and carried throughout the body. Effects of chemotherapy drugs are also on the healthy cells. Because of the intense side effects, chemotherapy is often contraindicated.

TARGET THERAPY

The method of astrocytoma treatment with the use of special preparations. Once the medication is in the body, the acting components of such drugs can “recognize” healthy and pathological cells. Unlike chemotherapy, they only affect the tissues of the pathological neoplasm, because of this the side effects are less harmful. Target therapy is prescribed for large tumors.

OPERATION FOR ASTROCYTOMA: INDICATIONS FOR CARRYING OUT

In addition to the removal of the tumor, the goals of the treatment are also improvement of the patient’s well-being and prolongation of life. Therefore, when choosing a method of therapy, all risks and possible side effects are carefully evaluated, and the success of treatment is predicted. On the basis of such complex diagnostics, a decision is made on the use of the operation.

 

Indications for surgical treatment of astrocytoma consist of factors such as: the tumor has already reached to a large size and continues to grow, it is in a place accessible to the instruments, the physical condition and age of the patient to allow the operation.

 

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HOW THE OPERATION IS PERFORMED

Astrocytoma surgery to remove tumor of the brain does not require special preparation, except for the patient taking a fluorescent substance. The components of this drug accumulate in the tumor, which increases its visibility and reduces the risk of damaging closely located vessels.

In most cases, the patient is under general anesthesia during the operation. If the tumor is located near important functional centers (speech, visual), the patient remains conscious. In such cases during the operation patient respond to the conversation with the doctors in order to check his perception.

 

 

Two main methods are used to treat astrocytoma of the brain:

  • Endoscopic trepanation of the skull is a minimally invasive method of surgery. The tumor is removed by an endoscope inserted through small holes. The duration of the operation is from 2 to 4 hours.
  • Open surgery to remove a part of the bone tissue of the skull. The patient’s head is in the state of fixation with a special clamp. The tumor is removed micro surgically by using a special navigation system. The operation lasts up to 6 hours.

REHABILITATION AFTER OPERATION

Upon completion of the operation, the patient is transferred to the intensive care unit, where he/she is supervised by nurses and physiotherapists for 7-10 days. A few days after surgery, CT scan or MRI is performed.

If there are no complications, the patient is transferred to a rehabilitation center. On an individual basis, a transfer to the clinic at the place of residence is possible.

 

The period of full rehabilitation after astrocytoma treatment is approximately 3 months. During this period the patient undergoes a restoration program appointed by the doctor. They are made individually, can include exercise therapy, massages, visits to a psychologist, exercises with a speech therapist and other rehabilitation techniques.

ASTROCYTOMA PROGNOSIS

If the tumor is susceptible to complete removal, a 5-year survival without relapse is achieved in 90% of cases. If it was possible to carry out only partial resection of the neoplasm, there remains a high risk of recurrence of the disease.

  • The treatment success of pilocytic astrocytoma of the brain (grade 1 of malignancy) is 90%.
  • After treatment of fibrillar astrocytoma grade 2, the average life expectancy is 6-8 years. 40% of patients who underwent complete tumor removal live for more than 10 years.
  • A positive prognosis for the treatment of anaplastic astrocytoma 3rd grade is 27%.
  • When a tumor of grade 4 malignancy (glioblastoma) is detected, the average life expectancy is 12-18 months. 5% of patients manage to prolong life for 3 years.
  • A more favorable prognosis is noted in children: the success rate of astrocytoma treatment in grade 3-4 is 25%.

 

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WHERE TO TAKE TREATMENT: TOP FOREIGN CLINICS AND DOCTORS

High success rates in the treatment of astrocytomas are achieved by specialists from clinics in Israel, Germany, Turkey and Spain. The outcome of the operation largely depends on the accuracy of the neurosurgeon’s manipulations and experience. Therefore, the top priority in choosing a clinic for treatment should be the professionalism of the operating doctor.

Acibadem Hospital, Turkey

Professor Memet Ozek is a world-famous doctor, a pediatric neurosurgeon with more than 26 years of experience. Specializes in endoscopic neurosurgery. Since 2013, he heads the department of pediatric neurosurgery at the Acibadem hospital. Prior to this, he served several years as the president of the European Association of Pediatric Neurosurgery.

 

The treatment of astrocytoma in adults in the Acibadem hospital group is done by Op.Dr.Özcan Çıklatekerlio. He is one of the top neurosurgeons in Turkey, has been engaged in brain surgery since 1996. The doctor is a member of the World Neurosurgical Federation.

Teknon Medical Center, Spain

Oliver Abadal Bartolomé is an expert in the treatment of diseases of the nervous system of Teknon Hospital, work experience – more than 35 years. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery and functional neurosurgery. He is fluent in the methods of craniotomy and radiosurgery, conducts operations with the help of the Cyberknife.

Sourasky Medical Center, Israel

Professor Zvi Ram is the head of the Neurosurgery Department at the clinic Ichilov, who is also head of the Society of Neurosurgeons of Israel. The doctor has been performing operations on the brain for over 30 years, during this time he developed and implemented many unique techniques. He is an expert in minimally invasive neurosurgical operations.

 

Dr. Shlomo Constantini is the head of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Department. In Israel, he is known as one of the best neurosurgeons in the field of treating children and adolescents.

 

Professor Nevo Margalit is a senior neurosurgeon, who heads the skull base surgery unit at the Sourasky Medical Center. Narrow specialization of the doctor is the removal of benign and malignant tumors of the brain, as well as operations based on the skull.

 

Solingen Academic Clinic, Germany

The popular doctor of the clinic is Professor Ralf Buhl, a world expert in the field of neurosurgery. For 20 years of work, he conducted more than 4,000 successful operations, quarter of those with a navigation system.

 

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