Juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas are common cystic-type brain tumors in children under 12, often affecting the optic nerve and cerebellum. Surgery or radiation therapy can be successful treatments, and prognosis for recovery is generally good. More research is needed to improve diagnosis and treatment.
Pilocytic astrocytomas are cystic-type brain tumors. Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma refers to this type of brain tumor when found in a child. They are considered to be more common in children under the age of 12. These tumors typically affect the optic nerve and cerebellum. Children who have juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma generally have an excellent chance of recovery if they receive prompt treatment.
Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma belongs to a category of brain tumors known as primary glioma. Gliomas are brain cells that affect the central nervous system. They account for the large majority of all brain tumors seen in both children and adults. Glioma-type tumors are usually malignant, but they are not a type of cancer.
Children with juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas can have a wide variety of symptoms, depending on where in the brain the tumor is located. Tumors in or around the optic nerve typically cause vision problems, headaches, and swelling around the eyes. Tumors of the cerebellum can cause vomiting, dizziness, and balance disturbances. In some cases, children may have more serious symptoms such as epileptic-like seizures, memory loss, and mood swings.
When a child is found to have juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, there are generally two methods of treatment. The most common treatment is surgery to remove the tumor. Sometimes, the tumor can be located in an area of the brain that makes surgery difficult or dangerous. In these cases, radiation therapy is usually used. Both surgery and radiation are usually successful in eliminating a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma.
If the tumor is very small, it may not pose a serious or immediate threat, and your child’s doctor may decide not to treat the tumor at all. In these cases, the tumor and the child’s general health would be closely monitored. If the child begins to have severe symptoms or if changes in the size or density of the tumor are noticed, treatment is usually started.
The prognosis for full recovery from a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma is generally very good, however, in some cases children may become severely affected. If the cancer remains unknown or if treatment is delayed, blindness, paralysis or even death could result. Most doctors agree that more research is needed to enable them to better diagnose and treat juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma. Medical research is believed to be limited because most funding is devoted to studying cancerous tumors.
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