ABTA primer excerpt Copyright ABTA
Cerebellar Astrocytoma
“Cerebellar astrocytomas” are astrocytomas found in the cerebellum – the lower, back part of the brain which controls balance. More than 80% of cerebellar astrocytomas are grade I, localized, cystic (fluid filled) tumors although higher grades of tumor do occur. Malignant cerebellar astrocytomas and spread of this type of tumor are rare. The cerebellar location is more common in children than adults and is usually very accessible to the neurosurgeon.
Surgery is the primary treatment and if “total” removal is possible – meaning that all tumor visible to the surgeon’s eye is able to be removed – additional therapy might not be needed. In adults and older children, radiation might be recommended for an incompletely removed or a higher-grade tumor. Further treatment might be needed only if the tumor recurs. For children under three, chemotherapy may be used to delay the use of radiation therapy until the brain has further matured.
If the tumor recurs, a second surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy can be considered.