However, recent studies in neurosurgery have shown that the main, and perhaps only function of astrocytes - protective. It stellate cells protect neurons in the brain from traumatic factors that provide an adequate metabolism, absorb an excess of metabolic products of neurons involved in the regulation of blood-brain barrier and the blood supply to the brain brain. If at any stage of development, these cells undergo pathological changes, they can not fully perform its functions, therefore, suffers from the entire nervous system.
What it is?
Astrocytoma - one of the types of tumors in the brain, within the class of gliomas. The disease develops from specialized cells - astrocytes. Small cells are shaped like stars, protect neurons absorb excess volume chemicals. But under the influence of a number of reasons in places of concentration of these cells occurs brain astrocytoma.
The disease can develop in any of his department. He faced by people of any age.
Causes of
Scientists still can not figure out why there is a brain cancer. There are only factors that contribute to the pathological transformations. It:
- influence of chemicals (mercury, arsenic, lead);
- smoking and excessive alcohol use;
- oncology in the family;
- a weakened immune system (especially those with HIV infection);
- traumatic brain injury;
- genetic diseases. In particular tuberous sclerosis (Bourneville disease) is almost always the cause of giant cell astrocytoma. Studies of genes which are tumor suppressors, have revealed that in 40% of cases of the disease have occurred astrocytomas mutation of the p53 gene, and in 70% of glioblastomas - MIAS gene and EGFR. Identification of these injuries will prevent malignant forms of AGM;
- radiation. Prolonged exposure to radiation, connected to the working environment, environmental pollution or even used to treat other diseases, can lead to the formation of cerebral astrocytoma.
Of course, if a person, for example, exposed to radiation, it does not mean that he necessarily grow a tumor. However, a combination of several of these factors (working in hazardous conditions, bad habits, poor heredity) may be a catalyst mutations start in brain cells.
forms of the disease
Depending on the cellular composition of astrocytomas are divided into several types:
| Anaplastic astrocytoma. | Malignant tumor (III tumor grade), characterized by a lack of distinct boundaries and rapid infiltrative growth. Most often affects men over 30 years old. |
| Piloidnaya astrocytoma | A benign tumor, which has a dedicated and clear boundaries. It is produced mainly in the brainstem or cerebellum. children are at risk. Forecast for the treatment of this form of cancer is always beneficial as well to treatment without complications. But later recourse it increases the possibility of its transformation into malignant in 70% of cases. |
| glioblastoma | Malignant and the most dangerous type of astrocytoma (IV degree of malignancy). No boundaries, quickly grows into the surrounding tissue and metastasizes. Usually occurs in men between 40 and 70 years. |
| fibrillar form | This kind of benign tumors, but the possibility of its transition into a malignant form of increases. There is no definition of the tumor is growing much faster than pilocytic astrocytoma. Therapy, including surgery, is not 100% good result. More often than not, this form is diagnosed in young adults up to 30 years. |
Highly differentiated (benign) astrocytoma account for 10% of all brain tumors, 60% are anaplastic astrocytomas and gliomas.
The symptoms of astrocytomas
All symptoms are divided into two groups with the development of tumors in the brain: general and local. Common symptoms associated with increased intracranial pressure:
- constant headache;
- convulsions;
- nausea, vomiting in the morning hours;
- general cognitive impairment (memory loss, attention, intellectual functions).
Local symptoms are related to the direct effects of the tumor on the brain tissue. Their manifestations depend on the kind of localization has astrocytoma:
- speech disorders, its perception;
- problems with sensitivity and movement in the limbs;
- blurred vision, sense of smell;
- mood disorders.
Diagnostics
The main way to diagnose a brain tumor - to perform computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the course of the operation it is also used MRI: it helps to control the process of removing nodes.
Sometimes cerebral astrocytoma diagnosed involving additional method - magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). This makes it possible to carry out the biochemical analysis of tumor tissue and identify the status of tumors.
Relapses of brain tumors is determined by means of positron emission tomography (PET).
Treatment of brain astrocytoma
Depending on the degree of differentiation cerebral astrocytoma her treatment is carried out one or more of these methods: surgery, chemotherapy, radiosurgery, radiotherapy.
Stereotactic radiosurgery removal is possible only with small size tumors (3 cm), and It carried out under the control of the tomography using stereotactic worn on the patient's head framework. When cerebral astrocytoma, this method can be used only in rare cases and benign course limited tumor growth. The surgical procedure conducted by craniotomy, depending on the nature of the growth of astrocytomas. Often, due to the diffuse proliferation of the tumor in its radical surgical treatment is impossible the surrounding brain tissue. In such cases, it may be carried out palliative surgery to reduce tumor size or shunt operation aimed at reducing hydrocephalus.
Radiotherapy cerebral astrocytoma carried by multiple (10 to 30 sessions) external exposure of the affected area. Chemotherapy using cytotoxic drugs carried oral preparations and intravenous administrations. Her preference when brain astrocytoma in children. Recently active development underway to develop new chemotherapeutic drugs that can act selectively on tumor cells, without causing the damaging effect on healthy.
life expectancy
Unfortunately, the brain astrocytoma often entail very adverse consequences. Typically, the survival rate after surgery (with the proviso that the cancer) is not more than 2-3 years.
Forecast
Predicting disease doctor made based on the following points:
- the patient's age;
- the degree of malignancy;
- the location of the tumors;
- how swift shift from one to the other stages of the disease, and whether he has taken place;
- the number of relapses.
Based on the overall picture of a specialist makes a rough forecast of brain astrocytoma. At the first stage of the disease the patient's life term will not exceed 10 years.
At the subsequent transition from benign to malignant tumors of the lifetime will decrease. In the second stage, it can be reduced to 7-5 years, in the third - up to 3-4 years and can live more than a year on the last patient when the clinical picture is positive.
prevention
Whereas many reasons cause the appearance of astrocytomas, as well as how many people in the past years to seek medical care, it is necessary to pay attention to prevention measures that disease.
These preventive methods include:
- Strengthening of the immune defense.
- Eliminating stress.
- Accommodation in environmentally friendly areas.
- Proper nutrition. It is important to exclude smoked and fried foods, fatty foods, canned food. More to add to the diet dishes, steamed, fruits, vegetables.
- Rejection of bad habits.
- Preventing head injuries.
- Regular medical examination.
If the detected brain astrocytoma, do not despair and give up. It is important to remain optimistic and believe in a good result, having a positive attitude. Only with such a positive attitude and faith can conquer oncology.
