Presentation
The pilocytic (astrocytoma) variant of ONG almost always presents during the first two decades of life. In this report, the authors discuss an unusual presentation of pilocytic astrocytoma of the juvenile type in an elderly Indian male. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Entire Body System
- Weakness
We present the case of a 2-year-old boy with progressive left-sided weakness and a cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showing a lesion with a cystic component in the right thalamus and basal ganglia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Symptoms General symptoms include: Headaches Weakness on one side of the body Problems with balance Seizures Behavior, memory and personality changes Pilocytic Astrocytoma Treatment Because pilocytic astrocytoma tumors do not spread to surrouding cells [uwhealth.org]
For example, a tumor in the cerebellum may cause weakness, problems walking, and clumsiness, and optic nerve gliomas may cause visual loss and a protrusion of the eyes. [neurosurgeonsofnewjersey.com]
Tumours arising in the thalamic region (centre of the brain) can cause headaches and arm and leg weakness. [rch.org.au]
- Developmental Delay
Together these data support a role for NTM and OPCML in developmental delay and potentially in cancer susceptibility. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Pallor
Pilocytic astrocytoma of the optic pathway frequently produces visual loss or visual-field deficit, with optic disk pallor and optic nerve atrophy in the involved eye secondary to axonal damage and ischemia (,3,,21,,30). [pubs.rsna.org]
Gastrointestinal
- Vomiting
Herein, we report a seventeen-year-old boy with a history of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt insertion due to severe hydrocephalus who presented with progressive headache and vomiting together with ocular and cerebellar signs and symptoms. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Nausea
An 18-year-old girl presented with a history of visual disturbance without headache, nausea, or vomiting in May 2010. In July 2010, the patient visited our hospital because of visual disturbance. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Changes in personality or mental status Difficulty balancing Drowsiness Headaches Nausea Problems with vision Seizures Vomiting Pediatric Pilocytic Astrocytoma Doctors and Providers [childrens.com]
Eyes
- Strabismus
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2009 Jul-Aug;46(4):235-7. doi: 10.3928/01913913-20090706-12. Epub 2009 Mar 20. PubMed PMID: 19645405. 64: Schuettpelz LG, McDonald S, Whitesell K, Desruisseau DM, Grange DK, Gurnett CA, Wilson DB. [neurocirugiacontemporanea.com]
- Visual Impairment
Such children may have little in the way of other neurologic findings, but can have macrocephaly, intermittent lethargy, and visual impairment.[ 3 ] Diagnostic Evaluation The diagnostic evaluation for astrocytoma is often limited to a magnetic resonance [cancer.gov]
Neurologic
- Headache
We report a case of a 47-year-old man presenting with sudden-onset frontal headache associated with nausea and lethargy in addition to a background of a longer history of back pain and headache. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
After 5 years, at the age of 21, the patient readmitted with anxiety and headache and the recurrence of the same tumor with the same grade. [ccij-online.org]
- Seizure
The patient has since remained seizure-free for 2.5 years. Seizure outcomes at postoperative 1-2 years are highly predictive of long-term outcomes after TLR for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Irritability
Besides previously postulated hypotheses of viral-induced or angiogenic factor-induced glial growth, we hypothesize that neoplastic origins of hypothalamic-optochiasmatic glioma might be due to the irritative mechanisms resulting from the frequent bleeds [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Children affected by pilocytic astrocytoma can present with different symptoms that might include failure to thrive (lack of appropriate weight gain/ weight loss), headache, nausea, vomiting, irritability, torticollis (tilt neck or wry neck), difficulty [en.wikipedia.org]
This type of tumor can often be cured with surgery.[1][2][3] Last updated: 8/9/2013 People with pilocytic astrocytomas might experience symptoms including: headaches, nausea, vomiting, irritability, ataxia (uncoordinated movement or unsteady gait), and [rarediseases.info.nih.gov]
- Nystagmus
We report the case of a 6-month-old female child with IP who presented with unilateral nystagmus and was found to have a pilocytic astrocytoma with leptomeningeal spread. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Depending on the primary localization and the size of the tumor, patients can present with signs of raised intracranial pressure (headache, vomiting, papilledema), blurred vision, decreased visual acuity, ataxia and/or nystagmus, among others. [orpha.net]
Blockage in the brainstem causing: Nausea Vomitting Ataxia – the inability to coordinate movements Torticollis – Wryneck Problems with balance and coordination Blockage in the optic nerve pathways resulting to: Papilledema – inflammation of the optic disc Nystagmus [cancerwall.com]
A JPA in the optic nerve pathways may be associated with loss of vision, degeneration (atrophy) of the optic nerve, papilledema, nystagmus, and protrusion of the eyeball (proptosis). [rarediseases.org]
A tumor pressing on the optic nerve may cause vision changes, such as blurry vision or involuntary rapid eye movements, or nystagmus. [healthline.com]
- Papilledema
Depending on the primary localization and the size of the tumor, patients can present with signs of raised intracranial pressure (headache, vomiting, papilledema), blurred vision, decreased visual acuity, ataxia and/or nystagmus, among others. [orpha.net]
Papilledema common Favorable prognosis both in terms of survival and neurologic function Most remain stable after resection (gross or subtotal) only, and need no adjuvant RT with close follow-up It may be reasonable to offer RT in unresectable disease [en.wikibooks.org]
Lethargy Alterations in mental conditions Blockage in the brainstem causing: Nausea Vomitting Ataxia – the inability to coordinate movements Torticollis – Wryneck Problems with balance and coordination Blockage in the optic nerve pathways resulting to: Papilledema [cancerwall.com]
A JPA in the optic nerve pathways may be associated with loss of vision, degeneration (atrophy) of the optic nerve, papilledema, nystagmus, and protrusion of the eyeball (proptosis). [rarediseases.org]
Neurologic examination revealed bilateral papilledema and positive cerebellar signs. [neurologyindia.com]
Workup
Recognition of this variant may prevent an unnecessary workup to exclude other etiologies such as parasitic infection (ie, cysticercosis) or cystic metastatic disease. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Roonprapunt and Abbot have suggested a treatment algorithm for the initial surgical workup of brain stem gliomas. [31] Figure 3: A seemingly diffuse infiltrative non-enhancing mid brain lesion on the CT scan is seen as a focal lesion on MRI scan Click [pediatricneurosciences.com]
Treatment
Steroid treatment is often used to control tissue swelling that may occur pre- and post-operatively. Children can also suffer long term side effects due to the type of treatment they may receive. [en.wikipedia.org]
To date, there are no prospective studies evaluating the use of such treatments in APA, however. Due to the low incidence of the tumor, the authors say, future studies are warranted to further assess efficacy of bevacizumab treatment in APA. [centerforbiosimilars.com]
One patient died of an intracerebral hemorrhage 10 years following initial radiation treatment believed to be secondary to radiation vasculopathy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Neuroendocrine Cancer – Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis, Survival Rate Appendix Cancer – Symptoms, Survival Rate, Prognosis, Treatment, Leiomyosarcoma – Survival Rate, Symptoms, Prognosis, Treatment [cancerwall.com]
Prognosis
Radiotherapy can control these tumours, and follow-up is required to understand the long-term outcome and prognosis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Neuroendocrine Cancer – Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis, Survival Rate Appendix Cancer – Symptoms, Survival Rate, Prognosis, Treatment, Leiomyosarcoma – Survival Rate, Symptoms, Prognosis, Treatment [cancerwall.com]
Etiology
Recognition of this variant may prevent an unnecessary workup to exclude other etiologies such as parasitic infection (ie, cysticercosis) or cystic metastatic disease. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Epidemiology
Our model analysis shows that the tumor behavior after partial resection is essentially determined by a risk coefficient γ, which can be deduced from epidemiological data about PA. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
African American, Latin American, and Asian individuals are less likely to develop pilocytic astrocytoma. [7] References ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Epidemiology of pilocytic astrocytoma. Dr Bruno Di Muzio and Dr Frank Gaillard et al. [wikidoc.org]
The remaining eight chapters have a common format, reviewing the history, epidemiology, biology, pathology, clinical symptoms, differential diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and complications of specific tumors. [books.google.com]
Epidemiology Pilocytic astrocytoma typically occurs in the first two decades of life. See Pilocytic Astrocytoma in adults. Localization Pilocytic astrocytoma may occur throughout the neuraxis. [prod.wiki.cns.org]
Definition / general Pilocytic means "hair-like," due to long, bipolar processes Most common CNS neoplasm of childhood Better prognosis than diffuse types, particularly if resectable (such as cerebellar tumors) WHO grade I Epidemiology Most common CNS [pathologyoutlines.com]
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology In PAD, the thrombosis involves only major deep venous channels of the extremity, thus sparing collateral veins. The venous drainage is decreased but still present; the lack of cyanosis differentiates this entity from PCD. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Acute deep venous thrombosis: pathophysiology and natural history. In: Cronenwett JL, Johnston KW eds. Rutherford’s Vascular Surgery 1, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2014: 745-9. 6) Chinsakchai K, ten Duis K, Moll FL, et al. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Prevention
Recognition of this variant may prevent an unnecessary workup to exclude other etiologies such as parasitic infection (ie, cysticercosis) or cystic metastatic disease. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
But there is no way to prevent them, and there’s nothing you can do to reduce a child’s risk of developing one. [weillcornellbrainandspine.org]