Low-Grade Childhood Cerebral Astrocytoma
High-Grade Childhood Cerebral Astrocytoma
Recurrent Childhood Cerebral Astrocytoma

A link to a list of current clinical trials is included for each treatment section. For some types or stages of cancer, there may not be any trials listed. Check with your doctor for clinical trials that are not listed here but may be right for you.

Initial treatment for low-grade cerebral astrocytoma depends on the location of the tumor. When the tumor is completely removed by surgery, more treatment may not be needed. The child is then closely observed for symptoms to appear or change. This is called watchful waiting. When the tumor is located deep inside the brain, surgery may not be possible. Biopsy followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used instead.

When cancer cells remain after surgery, treatment depends on the location of the remaining cancer cells and the age of the child. Treatment may include the following:

• Watchful waiting.
• Another surgery to remove the tumor.
• Radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy.

One of the treatments being studied in clinical trials for low-grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma is combination chemotherapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with childhood low-grade cerebral astrocytoma ¹.

Standard treatment of high-grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma may include surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Some of the treatments being studied in clinical trials for high-grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma include the following:

• A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy to delay or reduce the use of radiation therapy for children younger than 3 years of age.
• A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy during and after radiation therapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with childhood high-grade cerebral astrocytoma ².

Standard treatment of recurrent low-grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma may include the following:

• Combination chemotherapy.
• Surgery followed by radiation therapy.
• Surgery followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Some of the treatments being studied in clinical trials for recurrent low-grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma include new ways of giving radiation.

Standard treatment of recurrent high-grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma may include biopsy or surgery.

Some of the treatments being studied in clinical trials for recurrent high-grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma include the following:

• A clinical trial of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant.
• A clinical trial of a new therapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with recurrent childhood cerebral astrocytoma ³.

Glossary Terms

A tumor that begins in the brain or spinal cord in small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes.

The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. There are many different types of biopsy procedures. The most common types include: (1) incisional biopsy, in which only a sample of tissue is removed; (2) excisional biopsy, in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed; and (3) needle biopsy, in which a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle. When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

One half of the cerebrum, the part of the brain that controls muscle functions and also controls speech, thought, emotions, reading, writing, and learning. The right hemisphere controls the muscles on the left side of the body, and the left hemisphere controls the muscles on the right side of the body.

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Also called a clinical study.

Treatment using more than one anticancer drug.

When referring to cancerous and precancerous growths, a term used to describe cells that look abnormal under a microscope. These cells are more likely to grow and spread quickly than cells in low-grade cancerous and precancerous growths.

An intensive drug treatment to kill cancer cells, but that also destroys the bone marrow and can cause other severe side effects. High-dose chemotherapy is usually followed by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation to rebuild the bone marrow.

When referring to cancerous and precancerous growths, a term used to describe cells that look nearly normal under a microscope. These cells are less likely to grow and spread quickly than cells in high-grade cancerous or precancerous growths.

Closely monitoring a patient's condition but withholding treatment until symptoms appear or change. Also called watchful waiting.

The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy and irradiation.

Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrence.

The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

In medicine, treatment that experts agree is appropriate, accepted, and widely used. Health care providers are obligated to provide patients with standard therapy. Also called standard of care or best practice.

A method of replacing immature blood-forming cells that were destroyed by cancer treatment. The stem cells are given to the person after treatment to help the bone marrow recover and continue producing healthy blood cells.

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Also called neoplasm.

Closely monitoring a patient's condition but withholding treatment until symptoms appear or change. Also called observation.