Astroblastoma is a rare and difficult-to-classify type of brain or spinal cord tumor that typically affects young adults. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, and difficulty with balance. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Prognosis is generally poor.
An astroblastoma is a type of tumor usually found in the brain or spinal cord, consisting of cells with rich amounts of cytoplasm with two to three nuclei. As a rule, the cells of an astroblastoma lie around blood vessels or around the connective tissue septum. This type of cancer is rare and difficult to classify and typically affects young adults, although it can also be found in people of other ages. The prognosis for this type of brain cancer is generally very poor. The symptoms of this malignant tumor depend on where it is located.
One of the most common symptoms of this or any other type of brain tumor is the occurrence of headaches. The frequency and intensity of the headache will increase over time as the astroblastoma grows and the pressure on the brain increases. Headaches vary in character depending on which part of the brain the tumor is located in. They may not appear as recognizable symptoms until the tumor is large enough and exerts great pressure within the skull.
Other common symptoms that may signal the presence of an astroblastoma are dizziness, unexplained nausea, blurred vision and difficulty with balance. The tumor can also trigger vomiting, confusion, and seizures. Patients experiencing these types of symptoms, especially if they persist for any length of time or seem to get worse, should see a doctor.
An astroblastoma has a unique appearance on an X-ray, appearing dark and solid, with very little fluid in and around the area. It typically consists of multiple lobes and the solid parts tend to look bubbly. The division between astroblastoma and brain matter is very clear. It tends to form around a central blood vessel or around connective tissue related to the central nervous system.
This malignant growth is considered a primary glial cell tumor. This means that it grows in glial cells, one of the primary cell types for much of the brain area. These cells are more common than neurons and are found throughout the cerebellum, midbrain, and brain as well as some other areas, making these areas among the most common places for an astroblastoma to grow.
Treatment for an astroblastoma depends in part on the location; the tumor can often be removed surgically if it is accessible. In some cases, surgery is neither practical nor desirable, and attempting to remove the tumor may do more harm than good. This is true even if the patient is in poor health, as he may not recover well from such an operation. Radiation and chemotherapy are also commonly used and can either completely destroy the growth or significantly reduce its effects.
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