Intracerebral Granular Cell Astrocytoma

Intracerebral Granular Cell Astrocytoma

Article
Brain & Nerve
Eye & Vision
+3
Contributed byKrish Tangella MD, MBADec 18, 2020

The topic Intracerebral Granular Cell Astrocytoma you are seeking is a synonym, or alternative name, or is closely related to the medical condition Granular Cell Astrocytoma.

Quick Summary:

  • A Granular Cell Astrocytoma (GCA) is a form of brain tumor. A brain tumor may be described as a mass of abnormally growing cells arising from the brain tissue (brain parenchyma and meninges) or the spinal cord (central spine). The brain along-with the spinal cord constitute the central nervous system (CNS) of the body
  • Broadly, brain tumors are classified as benign (non-cancerous) and malignant. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can spread or metastasize to other regions of the body. They generally exhibit rapid growth and, in some cases, may present symptoms during the early stages of development
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies central nervous system tumors according to their grade and histological subtypes. A tumor subtype is determined by a pathologist after examining a tissue biopsy of the tumor under the microscope. This WHO classification system is used by healthcare professionals all over the world in diagnosing and treating these tumors
  • Granular Cell Astrocytoma is a highly uncommon and high-grade tumor of the brain that arises from the glial cells (a type of brain cells). It is reportedly a WHO grade IV brain tumor and is considered to be a mixed variant of infiltrative astrocytoma and glioblastoma. Grade IV tumors are highly-malignant, exhibit aggressive behavior, and grow rapidly. These tumors are known to infiltrate widely and destroy tissues, causing necrosis. They are also known to recur sooner following treatment
  • A vast majority of the tumors are diagnosed in adults. The tumor mostly originates in the cerebral hemisphere of the brain. The cause of formation of Granular Cell Astrocytoma is not well-established. It is reported that a combination of several factors may play a role in their formation, including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle-related. The risk factors may include presence of certain genetic disorders, exposure to ionized radiation, viral infections, and head trauma
  • The signs and symptoms of Granular Cell Astrocytoma depend on the location of the tumor. Individuals may initially experience headaches, partial body weakness, seizures, aphasia, and vision and speech disturbances. Large-sized tumors may compress adjacent brain tissue resulting in complications. Rarely, the tumor may also spread to other parts of the body (metastasize)
  • The treatment modalities for Granular Cell Astrocytoma may include a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The prognosis is determined by a wide variety of factors, such as age of the individual, tumor size, and overall health status. Nevertheless, the prognosis is extremely poor, since it is a high-grade malignancy with an aggressive behavior

Please find comprehensive information on Granular Cell Astrocytoma regarding definition, distribution, risk factors, causes, signs & symptoms, diagnosis, complications, treatment, prevention, prognosis, and additional useful information HERE.

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Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Pathology, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

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